Raleigh, North Carolina (WNCN) — Landfill burning for at least a day in North Raleigh is causing problems for some residents.
Raleigh Fire Chief Robert Hodge said on Saturday that controlled burning was underway at Wall Recycling Raleigh, a disposal site for trees, stumps and limbs.
The company, located at 3000 Gresham Lake Road, has obtained a burn permit, Hodge said.
Smoke was seen rising near Interstate 540 Friday. Billboards along Interstate 540 now mention burns, Hodge said.
Hodge said smoke from the fire is now drifting across Interstate 540.
Several people noticed smoke rising near Interstate 540 on Friday.
“I’ve seen fires going on before, but never this bad,” said Lydia Horne, who works and lives near the fire site.
Hoppy Endings owner Horne says the doors are usually open on weekends, with large crowds enjoying the outdoor seating area. However, Horn said it was closed on Saturday afternoon due to a lot of smoke.
Bonnie Keyes, manager of Canine Country Club and Pet Hotel, said her business is also dealing with the problem.
On Saturday, Keys said he had ventilated the building and the kennels and said, “If you care, you can imagine what they are doing to the animals in the area.”
Keyes said this isn’t the first time neighbors and businesses have had issues or concerns, and he has dealt with them before.
“Sometimes there are other people in the same place and we go out for a dog walk. It’s snowing, but it’s June and it’s not snow…it’s fire ash.”
Keyes and colleagues said they were concerned about the growing pile of landfills and believed it was causing more problems.
“I work here, so it comes and goes, but for the people who live here … I see how it can be a huge inconvenience and concern,” Keys said.
At least one resident in the area complained that he had closed all the windows in his home because he could not breathe.
Hodge wasn’t sure how long the fire would last.
