Lud Hoffmann, who serves in ADEM’s Air Division, said a ban on small, private outdoor burning does not go into effect until May 1. It usually lasts until the end of October.
“It has a typo, and it’s incomplete because it doesn’t list the dates,” Hoffmann said. “I don’t know how that was left out. We (the Air Division) would have liked to have seen (the press release) first.”
ADEM spokesman Jerome Hand said in a released statement that the department had some complaints about open, outdoor burning in Sylacauga last week.
Hoffmann said an ADEM official had seen some open burning being done in an “older” community of Sylacauga and reported it.
Joe Hassell, fire inspector with the city of Sylacauga, said he hasn’t received any complaints regarding open burning problems.
“If anyone lives within the city limits, they can come to the fire department or they can call the fire department, or we can do (a burn permit) over the telephone. Just let us know and we can issue them a permit,” Hassell said. “If they live outside the city limits, they need to get with whatever authority has jurisdiction over them or get with the Alabama Forestry Commission.”
Sylacauga residents can call his office or the fire department at 256-249-6204 about getting a permit, Hassell said.
Hoffmann labeled the threat of fine particulate matter that is found in the smoke associated with open burning as an intermediate cause of ground-level ozone, which can be a respiratory irritant for humans.
Hassell said he found it difficult to believe there could be much particulate in the air right now with all of the rain the region has experienced this year.
“Based on the data I gathered on the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Web site, open burning makes up a small, small percentage of the ground ozone level. It doesn’t even make the pie chart,” Hassell said.
This is what caused the article about the Burn Ban.
On Feb. 2 I wrote to Scott Sanders of the air division of ADEM :I have no idea what was released from REEF last night, Monday, Feb. 2, 2010 but it was very very bad. It still remains in my house at 6:24AM today. If ADEM thinks REEF has stopped releasing they are mistaken. Daily we still suffer from headaches, sinus, nausea, etc. I am sure the ER was full last night.
His response was "I contacted Reef this morning to determine if they experienced any upsets overnight. Mr. Hall informed me of no known upset. The Department had an inspector in the area this morning and reported that there were no odors present at the facility, but noted that there were numerous households in the area where garbage was being burned and suspected that may be the source of some of the complaint.
My remarks back "After reading your remarks again I began to laugh. First why in God's name would citizens be burning household garbage in the middle of night??? And are you aware that we have a burning ordinance in Sylacauga. I live in the City not the County.
ADEM released the Burn Ban just after that. Then I sent all of the email copies to Mr. John Hagood the acting director of ADEM and that is when they retracted that stupid release.
ADEM has given nothing but headaches to the Citizens of Sylacauga. Read where they contacted Mr. Hall to see if they had an upset the night before. Just forget any of my remards....just take the word of Mr. Hall at REEF.
Fight on Concern Citizens we are making progress
Sent your remarks to Mr. John Hagood
Director
ADEM
PO Box 302463
Montgomery, AL 36130-1464 or e-mail
Scott Sanders
CSS@adem.state.al.us
Now you know the WHOLE STORY
Thank Mr. Joe Hassell of the Sylacauga Fire Dept. for his great words of wisdom on the Burn Ban
Sincerely,
Bosley Alderman