Hot Springs burning storm brush

After approval from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality and the granting of a 120-day burn permit by Garland County Judge Rick Davis, the City of Hot Springs began burning storm-related brush at its compost facility today.  The compost facility is located at 320 Davidson Drive, off of Shady Grove Road.

As the Sanitation Department begins curbside pickup this week of storm-related vegetative debris within city limits, the anticipated impact to the compost facility in addition to already-heavy traffic from area residents necessitated the city’s request to handle the volume by burning.  “The city will conduct burning only as long as is necessary to handle the storm debris,” Utilities Director Richard Penn said.  “Only vegetative debris – limbs, branches and brush – will be accepted.  Any construction materials, including lumber, will be turned away.”

Street Division and Sanitation Department crews are working in a systematic fashion, district by district, picking up storm-related tree limbs and brush throughout the city.  Residents are asked to leave debris curbside until it is collected.

Burning will take place on weekdays only, during daylight hours, alongside normal compost facility operations.  There is no cost to city residents to use the compost facility.  All standard fees for business customers remain in effect.  For compost loading fees and hours, visit the Utilities page on the city’s Web site, www.cityhs.net , or call the Compost Hotline, 321-6869.