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Unlicensed landfill burns for months near Atlanta airport
Source: Associated Press
Unlicensed landfill burns for months near Atlanta airport
By The Associated PressSOUTH FULTON, Ga. — Feb 15, 2019 7:09 AM ET
An unlicensed landfill just south of the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta has been burning for nearly five months, sending sulfur-scented smoke throughout the area.
State Environmental Protection Division spokesman Kevin Chambers tells The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the property owner hasn't cooperated with efforts to dampen the flames. South Fulton Mayor Bill Edwards says Tandy Ross Bullock has already been jailed twice over the six-acre fire. The county has been fighting with Bullock over the unlicensed landfill since at least 2007.
State environmental officials and Democratic Rep. Debra Bazemore say emergency funds will be used to extinguish the fire. Chambers says the expected cost is still being determined. Federal health officials on Monday warned the smoke may cause headaches and respiratory irritation, but isn't expected to cause long-term health issues.
By The Associated PressSOUTH FULTON, Ga. — Feb 15, 2019 7:09 AM ET
An unlicensed landfill just south of the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta has been burning for nearly five months, sending sulfur-scented smoke throughout the area.
State Environmental Protection Division spokesman Kevin Chambers tells The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the property owner hasn't cooperated with efforts to dampen the flames. South Fulton Mayor Bill Edwards says Tandy Ross Bullock has already been jailed twice over the six-acre fire. The county has been fighting with Bullock over the unlicensed landfill since at least 2007.
State environmental officials and Democratic Rep. Debra Bazemore say emergency funds will be used to extinguish the fire. Chambers says the expected cost is still being determined. Federal health officials on Monday warned the smoke may cause headaches and respiratory irritation, but isn't expected to cause long-term health issues.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/unlicensed-landfill-burns-months-atlanta-airport-61095818?cid=clicksource_4380645_7_heads_posts_headlines_hed
______________________________________________________________________
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fulton residents tired of 5-month landfill fire, emergency funds coming
Feb 14, 2019
By Ben Brasch, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gina Yielding watches her grandchildren cover their mouths and run inside when they visit grandma’s house.
It’s been that way for five months as sulphur-smelling smoke seeps from 60-foot-high mountains of debris smoldering half a mile from her Fulton County home.
The fire has been burning since Sept. 20 at an unlicensed landfill about 13 miles southwest of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, sitting at the borders of Fairburn, Palmetto and South Fulton. Despite being jailed twice for failing to extinguish the fire, the owner has still not taken action. It’s not clear if the landfill is currently accepting material while the fire burns, as there was a sign that said “temporarily closed — opening soon” on the front gates Wednesday.
Federal health authorities said in a report Monday that air quality tests show the smoke isn’t expected to cause long-term health problems for nearby residents, but contact can cause nausea along with headaches and irritation to the throat and eyes. They warned those with existing breathing and heart conditions to avoid the area.
-snip-
Feb 14, 2019
By Ben Brasch, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gina Yielding watches her grandchildren cover their mouths and run inside when they visit grandma’s house.
It’s been that way for five months as sulphur-smelling smoke seeps from 60-foot-high mountains of debris smoldering half a mile from her Fulton County home.
The fire has been burning since Sept. 20 at an unlicensed landfill about 13 miles southwest of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, sitting at the borders of Fairburn, Palmetto and South Fulton. Despite being jailed twice for failing to extinguish the fire, the owner has still not taken action. It’s not clear if the landfill is currently accepting material while the fire burns, as there was a sign that said “temporarily closed — opening soon” on the front gates Wednesday.
Federal health authorities said in a report Monday that air quality tests show the smoke isn’t expected to cause long-term health problems for nearby residents, but contact can cause nausea along with headaches and irritation to the throat and eyes. They warned those with existing breathing and heart conditions to avoid the area.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.ajc.com/news/local/after-five-month-fulton-landfill-fire-state-use-emergency-funds/KjxkyH7Ngu4F1C8uhiIwoJ/