Clarity needed over ‘toxic smoke’ reports

Greater clarity  is needed in Waitaki about who to contact if people are concerned about the burning of "toxic" rubbish, a Kakanui woman says.

Earlier this week  the woman, who did not want to be named, said rubbish was being burnt on an urban section in Anderson St in Kakanui, near her home.

She saw "massive clouds of black smoke" rising from the property about 8am.

"It ended up being cans popping and toxic smells that really got in your throat. It was an unbelievable amount of smoke and ash coming over our house. It continued for, I guess, a couple of hours."

She contacted the Waitaki District Council to complain about the smoke and was told to contact Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s 0800 number.

The woman did so and was told to leave a message, use the organisation’s website or call 111.

"There’s no way I’m doing that to a volunteer fire service, she said.

"I just wouldn’t do that. The toxic smoke and smell was so bad we just got in our car and left."

She said she could "not believe" the council was unable to investigate the fire.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand Otago principal rural fire officer Graeme Still said there was  an open fire season across Otago at present, which meant "authorised fire types" were permitted without a permit.

He advised people concerned about potentially hazardous materials being burnt to contact the Otago Regional Council.

"If people have concerns about a danger to property or life they should get in touch with us.

"But concerns about the discharge of pollutants into the open air are a matter for the regional council. It has legislative power to act on such events and can advise people about authorised fire types."

daniel.birchfield@odt.co.nz 

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