cape coral
Debris from Hurricane Ian is burning right next to a home in Cape Coral. People who live nearby are tired of the smoke and the smell.
People living near the burning debris near Diplomat Parkway and Burnt Store Road are adjusting their routines to avoid the smoke. They understand the community has to clean up, but there’s too much smoke.
An air curtain incinerator is in operation, burning what the city says is hurricane debris that has been crushed and not mulched.
WINK News spoke to neighbors, many of whom didn’t like talking on camera.
they can smell it. Some people say it sticks to their clothes and gets in their cars, so park it in the garage.
One of them is Tim Fisher.
“Half the chance it’s going in the right direction and it’s not fun. It’s like having a campfire in a small campsite or something. You’re on the fire side, not the smoke side.” I try to sit on the right side of the.You don’t have that option here,” Fisher said.
“I can wake up in the morning, and I can see it all day. We know it’s there,” Fisher said.
Fisher lives across from the burn zone.Rich Allison doesn’t walk outside, especially in the morning
“You lose the urge to do things in public around here,” Allison says. “You have to cover your car. Now instead of having dust and smoke everywhere, you have to wash your car several times a month.”
“If the wind changes, go to the backyard, because it will burn your eyes,” Fisher said.
Fischer understands the city needs to clean up, but hopes there’s another way it can do it. .”
The city said the air curtain incinerator will only operate with daily permits from the Florida Forest Service.
Cape Coral said it will continue to burn until the debris is cleared.
