By Nakasia Logan
Firefighters in Guyana are facing a formidable challenge as they grapple with numerous wildfires raging across the country, putting immense strain on their resources.
Two major wildfires are currently raging—one near Santa Aratak Mission and another in the vicinity of the Conservancy aback Barnwell North, Mocha.
However, these are just a fraction of the ongoing crisis, as firefighters are also contending with blazes in numerous other areas nationwide.
Acting Fire Chief Gregory Wickham reveals the staggering scale of the firefighting efforts, with firefighters responding to a total of fifty-one wildfires in a single day.
Mr. Wickham highlights the various factors contributing to the outbreak of wildfires, including the scorching heat and humidity, as well as deliberate acts of setting fires to clear land for farming or other purposes.
He strongly condemns such actions, emphasizing the severe strain they place on both human and mechanical firefighting resources.
The Fire Chief underscores the legal repercussions of deliberately setting fires and urges citizens to refrain from engaging in such activities.
Meanwhile, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, visited the area near Barnwell North by the East Demerara Conservancy Dam, where firefighters successfully identified and extinguished isolated patches of fire.
Ongoing assessments are being conducted to prevent re-ignition, and citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious fire-related activities promptly.
President Irfaan Ali has assured that Joint Service teams are actively monitoring the situation, with a focus on surveillance and response to forest and wildfires.
He notes that East Berbice Corentyne and Mahaica Berbice are the regions currently experiencing the highest number of fires, while Pomeroon–Supenaam and Cuyuni have recorded fewer incidents.
The efforts of firefighters and government agencies are crucial in combating these wildfires and safeguarding communities across Guyana.