“Massive health hazard”: Leland residents raise concerns over open burn

LELAND, NC (WWAY-TV) — The town of Leland has called for a special meeting on Monday as concerns rise about a large open burn. Drivers along Highway 17 have probably seen the flames and smoke rising from an open burn making way for a new Publix location.

Open burning for commercial properties is currently allowed in Leland, as long as the owner of the property has a permit and assumes all liability.

Rhonda Florian has been a resident in Leland since 2016 and lives across the street at Brunswick Forest.

“The fire started on Friday, and when I saw it, it looked to me like a scene from Apocalypse  Now,” Florian said.

As someone with asthma, she’s raised concerns with the town for years about the impact of open burning.

“It’s a massive health hazard,” Florian said. “It is a health hazard especially for seniors who have a variety of respiratory issues.”

Frank Pendleton also lives in Brunswick Forest and is running for the town council this year. He is proposing that the town adopt alternative methods to open burning.

“In other states they can do different things, they can haul it off somewhere else to a dump or they can bring in industrial mulchers and mulch this stuff up,” Pendleton said. “There’s things that they can do that’s better for our environment and certainly better for the health of the residents of Leland.”

In response to resident concerns, the town shared a statement with WWAY:

“Open burning is currently a legal option within Leland and Brunswick County. The future Publix site is following state regulations for open burning. Any violation would therefore be subject to state determination and enforcement.”

Leland Councilman Bill McHugh said the town is “holding Monday’s special meeting to determine what immediate action we can take, and then to take that action to stop open burning. Enough is enough!”

WWAY reached out ot the developer of the property, Columbia Properties, but have not heard back.