Residents report ash, health impacts from wood-debris facility fire; county seeks DEP review

Multiple residents raised safety and health alarms about persistent smoke and ash from a large tree‑debris storage and air‑curtain incinerator operation near Lake Asbury.

"The ash content is so high you can't breathe," resident Jeff Reedy said, adding he had to buy a $2,000 air purification unit after smoke entered his newly built home. Reedy described piles as "50, 60" feet high and said neighbors reported headaches and other symptoms; he asked the county to "put the fire out" and stop the facility’s operations until the situation is safe.

Fire Chief Lorne Mott told commissioners the site contains extensive organic material and is burning in deep layers that behave much like a peat bog. "The expanse of the fire is such that there are no reasonable means to control it outside of the fire continuing to burn and reduce over time," Mott said, noting staff have been on‑scene around the clock and are coordinating with state forestry. Mott said additional rainfall from the approaching storm may help suppress surface burning but that full suppression may take months.

County staff described the permitting pathway for incinerators: operators submit drawings to DEP for incinerator approval and those materials then go through county planning and building review. Staff said the facility at issue may have been grandfathered under an earlier master plan designation; the county’s role has been largely as a recipient of DEP submissions, and staff said they had tentatively scheduled joint meetings with DEP next week to review permitting and operational compliance.

Commissioners discussed whether the county can intercede on permitting; staff and the county attorney said DEP held primary permitting authority but that the county could seek to enforce applicable local conditions, review permit records and consider operational restrictions where county code applies. The board asked staff to continue following up with DEP and forestry and to brief residents on meeting dates and next steps.

County staff confirmed they have temporarily withheld operations at the site to avoid disturbing smoldering material and prevent equipment collapse into burning cavities, and they cautioned that operating heavy equipment over smoldering piles could create safety hazards.

The county said it will provide updates to affected residents and coordinate with DEP and forestry on a plan to reduce material on the site by removal or controlled, safe methods that are acceptable to regulators.