From staff reports

Six more days of leaf burning remain; some would happily do away with the practice, while others relish this traditional rite of fall.

Saturday, October 30, 1999

Six more days of leaf burning remain; some would happily do away with the practice, while others relish this traditional rite of fall.

Still, those who do burn leaves would do well to play by the rules. If not, Albert Lea could conceivably follow other Freeborn County communities in banning the practice.

The rules are simple, as outlined by city code.

First, only burn when allowed. That’s Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during the first two weeks in November.

Second, stay by the fire until it is completely extinguished.

Third, only burn between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. All fires must be extinguished by 7 p.m.

Fourth, such fires shall not be less than 25 feet from any structure, wood fence, hedge or bush and no less than five feet from any property line.

Fifth, the burning of leaves is prohibited on city streets, boulevards, lake shores or any public property.

Equally important, however, is consideration for one’s neighbors, and neighborhood.

It is plain rude to burn when the wind blows the smoke from your fire right into a neighbor’s windows. For some, it is also a health hazard. Smoke should rise, not hug the ground for others to inhale.

Granted, civility is difficult to come by these days, but smoking out a neighbor, or neighborhood, is downright unneighborly. On several recent burning days, the smoke hung low and thick enough to be unpleasant citywide.

Most critical, burning leaves means just that – leaves.

Not plastic.

Not furniture.

Not boxes.

Burning these items produces dangerous chemicals, including carcinogens, that others inhale. Especially if the smoke is travelling horizontally through town. Makes one wonder what’s really in the air, when the smoke doesn’t go anywhere but into our lungs.

Those who fail to follow these sensible restrictions must be stopped; it isn’t as though there are no alternatives – mulching and composting are both acceptable and environmentally friendly practices. And there’s the city Transfer Station, which offers free composting.

It would be also nice to see some tests done when the smoke hugs the ground, to see whether people really are doing the right thing, or if they’re creating a health hazard for all.