A stubborn heap of lumber and tree debris kept DeKalb County fire crews busy for a second straight day in Lithonia, as a smoldering blaze at a tree‑service yard sent a thick plume of smoke drifting across nearby neighborhoods. Firefighters set up a safety perimeter around the burning pile and spent Wednesday chasing hot spots to keep the fire from jumping to nearby properties. No injuries were reported, though officials cautioned that the smell of smoke could hang over the area for some time.
According to Atlanta News First, crews first rolled out just after 5 a.m. Tuesday to ArborServ Tree Care Professionals on South Stone Mountain Lithonia Road, where a large pile of debris had caught fire. Firefighters focused on boxing the blaze in, building a perimeter and soaking the pile repeatedly to keep hard‑to‑reach hot spots from spreading while investigators work to figure out what sparked it. The outlet reported that nearby residents could be smelling smoke well after the visible flames are gone.
The property belongs to ArborServ Tree Care Professionals, which business listings place at 2290 S. Stone Mountain Lithonia Road, according to MapQuest. The lot sits amid other light‑industrial and commercial operations, a setup that left firefighters concentrating on shielding neighboring buildings and parked vehicles. Crews stayed alert for drifting embers and fresh flare‑ups that could threaten those nearby properties.
Smoke Risks and Safety Tips
Smoke from burning wood and debris is more than just a nuisance; it carries fine particles that can aggravate heart and lung problems and hit children, older adults, and people with respiratory illnesses especially hard. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advises limiting time outdoors when smoke is present, keeping windows closed, and using an air conditioner or HEPA air cleaner to cut indoor smoke levels. The agency’s Burn Wise guidance offers more detail on staying safe when smoke moves into the neighborhood.
State Rules on Open Burning
The Georgia Forestry Commission notes that small, hand‑piled yard debris does not always need a permit, but state law makes it illegal to burn man‑made materials such as lumber or plastic and requires notification or permits when debris is machine‑piled or transported. That difference is a big deal for large commercial debris piles, and the commission also warns that material hauled in from other locations may fall under solid‑waste rules instead of open‑burn rules, meaning it cannot legally be burned. For a full rundown of what is and is not allowed, see the Georgia Forestry Commission.
Fire crews remained on scene to knock down lingering hot spots as investigators continued looking into the cause of the blaze, and officials urged residents to call 911 if they see active smoke or flames. For background on the responding agency and contact information, visit DeKalb County Fire Rescue, and follow coverage from Atlanta News First for further updates.
