Over the last five days, several regions across Guyana have been shrouded in thick fog accompanied by smoke during the early morning, with concerned citizens turning to social media platforms, particularly Facebook, to voice their concerns.
The atmospheric conditions have prompted widespread speculation and raised questions regarding their origins and potential implications for public health and safety. Residents are urging authorities to provide clarity and assurances.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), yesterday said that severe dry conditions (El Nino) are continuing across Guyana making it conducive to wildfires. It said that wildfires are currently widespread across Guyana and in other countries in this hemisphere. These fires are primarily due to spontaneous combustion and possibly exacerbated by human activities.
It said that activities such as burning of rice fields, farmlands, construction waste, cleared vegetation and garbage in and around communities may have resulted in several of these fires spreading into nearby bushes and the forest. These fires are causing smoke to blanket communities thereby affecting human health, it said. Over the past few days, this has been more evident during evenings and early mornings along Corentyne, the East Bank Demerara corridor, and Georgetown, with air quality being moderate to unhealthy, the EPA said.
It called on all citizens to play their part, including rice farmers, residents and all stakeholders to desist from burning rice fields, farmlands, construction sites and garbage during this period.
It added that a National Wildfire Crisis Management Committee led by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) is addressing this issue and will be boosting surveillance to prevent, detect and hold persons accountable.
For additional information or assistance the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can be contacted on 226-5467, 225-5471-2
Recent data from the air quality monitoring website IQAir corroborated the EPA’s concerns, revealing multiple regions across the country where wildfires are actively burning. The website also indicated unhealthy air quality levels in affected areas, underscoring the potential impact of the ongoing wildfires on public health and safety.
The Sunday Stabroek took to the streets of Georgetown and spoke with vendors along the roadways and taxi drivers who spend most of the day outdoors to hear how they are dealing with the situation
Urlene Morgan, a mother and vendor who plies her trade on Camp Street, Georgetown, shared that the smoke is affecting her to the point where she has to use medication to sleep in the evening. She shared that her children in particular are suffering the most. “I had to buy us some herbal medication to clear up our chest; this thing makes my eyes run water and I now have a terrible cold.”
She said that it particularly affects her due to the nature of her job as she is a vendor who has to sell out in the open. “It’s hard to sit down here with the smoke scent but I can’t do anything else, it is how I provide for my family so I have no choice.”
Shamar Lickerish, shared that his family has resorted to keeping their home closed to avoid the toxic air from entering “We have had to stay indoors and spray the house with air freshener to keep the air quality inside smelling nice.” While he does not have kids himself, he is worried for his nieces and nephews. “They are young and although they have no respiratory issues this is still not good for their little bodies.”
Jenelle Persaud, a mother of one, told the Sunday Stabroek that her child is asthmatic. “My little Chrissy is an asthma case this has been really hard for her she is a very active child and this smoke has placed so many restrictions on her.” Persaud shared that although she takes the necessary steps in ensuring her child is safe, it is hard considering her child’s curious nature. “She wants to go outside but I tell her we cannot because she’ll get sick; she is too young to understand the severity of the situation.” Persaud however is particularly happy that schools are closed so that she is able to monitor her child’s health during this time “It’s easier for me in the case of an asthma attack, I am close and I can tend to the situation.”
She expressed the hope that the government and particularly the Ministry of Health issues something regarding the ongoing “air quality farce.”
On Facebook, netizens shared some of the effects that they are faced with caused by the smoke.
Sue Kalladeen wrote, “I am sick, my voice gone, I can’t breathe and my chest is tight.”
Tanuja Sowdagar commented, “I’m in central Georgetown and you can see the smoke in the distance and the smell is prominent. I have allergies and I’m already triggered.”
Reshana Khan said, “Around 6am I woke up to smoke and I’m on the east coast, Vryheid’s Lust”
And Anna Crighton commented, “Girl, it deh here in Non-Pareil. I’m worried about my child right now.”
The Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday said that the Guyana Fire Service is actively combatting multiple grass fires throughout the country, which are causing poor visibility due to a combination of ground fog and smoke.
In a statement, the ministry said that affected areas include the East Bank (Heroes Highway) to Timehri, the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, the West Bank area, and parts of Georgetown.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs urges all road users to exercise extreme caution during this period. Motorists are advised to reduce speed and utilize high and low beams or hazard lights as appropriate.
These fires, stemming from spontaneous combustion, human-induced land clearing, and waste destruction, have prompted urgent calls for citizens, particularly land developers, contractors, and farmers, to cease burning garbage and other waste materials.
“As the dry season (continues), the risk of fires escalating quickly and becoming uncontrollable heightens. Forecasts indicate the dry spell will persist until the end of April, so citizens are urged to take all necessary precautions to prevent fire outbreaks”, the ministry said
Citizens are strongly advised to take preventive measures to safeguard their health due to associated health safety risks from smoke inhalation. For their safety and well-being, the following precautions are recommended:
– Stay indoors: Keep windows and doors closed to minimize exposure to smoke.
– Wear a face mask: Utilize dust masks where feasible.
– Limit outdoor activities: If outdoor excursions are unavoidable, wear a mask.
– Use air filtration: Employ air conditioning to filter indoor air.
– Stay informed: Stay updated with the latest information and advisories from the Fire Service and EPA.
– Consider alternate routes: Explore alternative routes to avoid smoke-affected areas and roadways during travel.
– Drive cautiously: Exercise extreme caution due to reduced visibility caused by smoke when driving through affected areas. Utilize hazard lights or high beams and remain vigilant for other vehicles and pedestrians.
– Protect vulnerable groups: Take additional precautions to safeguard susceptible individuals, including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.
In the event of a fire or to report excessive smoke, contact 912.
(Mia Anthony)
