If you’re going to burn
Everyone was out in force cleaning up after Chaba and it’s understandable to burn some tree branches, leaves, and organic matter. The problem is so many are also burning everything but the kitchen sink—old beds, plastic bags and containers, broken toys, used diapers, and I’m sure some are continuing to dump it at convenient places as we’ve seen all over the island. Is this acceptable? Those who burn, aware of the fact they don’t want to inhale the smoke, burn it in piles downwind of their homes but do they think of the families living downwind of them? Do they care that someone’s children are breathing in this poison? Of course, this goes on all year but now it’s worse because of the storm.
Anyway, DPS, DEQ all of the government agencies that are supposed to be watching over our safety and the environment, get off your duffs, get out on your sleek four-wheel drives, and do your work. Supervise those who are burning, educate people to put out fires, give citations—just do whatever it takes to give us back our clean air that is our right.
John McGuire
San Antonio