Neighbors Near Burning Debris Dumps Bothered by Smoke

The ice has melted but the way in which debris is being disposed is leaving some in the Ozarks feeling cold.

A burn site west of Republic has neighbors saying "not in my backyard."

The large burn pile for the city of Republic lies about four miles outside of Republic's city limits and is required to be at least 200 yards from any structure.

But neighbors just one property over say it's too close for comfort.  

Burning at this site began Saturday morning.  Since then, neighbor Nancy Thomas says she has been a virtual prisoner in her own home.

Thomas says high winds have carried smoke and ash onto her land, leaving film on her vehicles and smoke seeping into her house.  

This isn't your typical type of burning either.  Part of the property is dug up with the burning being done in a hole in the earth.  But Thomas worries the embers may cause damage to her house or hurt her pets.  And she wonders why it couldn't be in a more rural location.  

"It's just a matter of where it is," Thomas says.  "I know this wood has to be disposed of and gotten rid of but this is not an appropriate spot when you have to affect other people's lives and you don't have any say over this."

The owner of the property where the debris dump is located leased the land to TFR Enterprises out of Texas.  Neither the owner or the company wanted to comment, but do say they are meeting OSHA and FEMA requirements and are taking all safety precautions required as the burning continues.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has waved burning restrictions until March 31.