The Guyana Fire Service (GFS), the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 5 have completely extinguished fires that were burning in the Bushlot and Woodley Park areas this week.
Arid weather has sparked fires in various parts of the country.
According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), the flames were destroying mangroves along the Western Coast of Berbice and adjacent grass fields. The GFS confirmed that the mangrove fires started on February 26, 2024 and were entirely doused by March 4, 2024. DPI said that the Woodley Park blaze was extinguished primarily due to the proactive and quick approach of the RDC and GuySuCo.
DPI said that residents in the area lauded the efforts of the personnel who combatted the fires by pumping water from the nearby canal into the mangrove forest. The GuySuCo trucks and RDC team worked in tandem to ensure that the blaze did not get out of control. An excavator from the Region also created fire breaks at strategic locations to aid the efforts.
The persistent dry season has caused several wildfires and forest fires along coastal and inland regions. As a result of this weather pattern, Prime Minister Mark Phillips has instructed the Civil Defence Commission to coordinate a multi-stakeholder team to manage the situation; inclusive of the Environmental Protection Agency, Guyana Water Incorporated, Guyana Livestock Development Agency, National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute, Protected Areas Commission, the Guyana Forestry Commission, the Ministry of Health, the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force and the GFS.
Residents are urged to report all fires to 912, the nearest police or fire station, their RDC or Neighbourhood Democratic Council, village leader or Toshao, or the 24-hour National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 600-7500.
