AN emergency shelter has been activated at Timehri to house a number of families who have been impacted by the raging wildfires in that area.
Five families, a total of 28 persons inclusive of children and the elderly, from the Santa Aratak village have been relocated to the shelter, which is being managed by trained Civil Defence Commission (CDC) staff.

Several other areas are being monitored closely as the fires continue to spread countrywide, and, if necessary, additional shelters will be established. The Guyana Government, through the Guyana Fire Service, Guyana Defence Force, Environmental Protection Agency and the Civil Defence Commission, is leading the response effort in all regions.

Residents countrywide are encouraged to remain cautious of the consequences of the dry season, such as wildfires, and to report any instances to 912, their local fire station, their Regional Democratic Council representative or office, or the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 600-7500 at any time.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Wednesday highlighted the global trend of lengthening fire seasons, emphasising the likelihood of more fires occurring in the future, even in areas where they previously had not.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, he warned, “Fire seasons worldwide are getting longer; we will face more fires in the future, even in territories where they did not happen before.”

According to reports, the regions most affected by the fires within the period under the review, March 26 to April 2, were East Berbice-Corentyne and Mahaica-Berbice, where there were over 1,000 fires.