In the wake of last week’s rubbish fire, which spread to a house and caused the death of a man, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) is reminding the general public that open burning of garbage is prohibited. Perpetrators could be fined no less than $80,000 or sentenced to three months in prison. The GFS said in a press release that it has been noticing an upsurge in grass and garbage fires and is advising residents to be aware of the risks and refrain from openly burning heaps of garbage or grass. If grass or garbage fires do occur they should never be left unattended as they possess the potential to become major fire emergencies, the GFS said.
According to the release, anyone desirous of using fire as a method of land clearing or for any other purpose must obtain permission from the GFS before proceeding. Additionally, citizens should be aware that it is illegal to burn trash in the open.
The GFS urged that other means of disposal and/or land clearing should be found. It added that if a grass or garbage fire occurs it should never be left unattended as such fires can quickly get out of hand and spread rapidly. Any large grass or garbage fire should be reported to the fire department.
Further, the GFS release stressed that people should desist from throwing cigarette or cigar butts on the ground or out of a vehicle. They should dispose of them properly and make sure they are completely extinguished. Drivers, it said, should be mindful of parking vehicles on dry grass or shrubs, since exhaust systems on vehicles can reach a temperature of more than 1,000 degrees and it only takes about 500 degrees to start a fire during the dry season.
In addition, the GFS release said parents should emphasise to their children the dangers of playing with fire as some grass fires are started by children who have no idea how quickly flames can grow and spread. It stressed the usefulness of keeping a shovel, bucket of water, fire extinguisher, or other fire suppression tools on hand.
