THE Guyana Fire Service (GFS) is asking residents in all ten administrative regions to stop burning garbage and grass as the country heads into the dry conditions associated with the El Niño weather pattern.
In an advisory issued by Chief Fire Officer Gregory Wickham, the GFS said higher temperatures and dried-out vegetation can allow a small spark to quickly become a grass or structural fire that is hard to control.
The service called on the public to refrain from burning garbage, dried leaves and yard waste, warning that sudden gusts of wind during dry periods can carry embers into dry grass or nearby buildings. Farmers were asked to avoid using fire to clear land and to consider alternatives such as composting or manual clearing.
The GFS also noted that lighting fires that endanger life or property, or burning trash indiscriminately, is illegal in Guyana.
For households, the advisory recommended clearing dried grass, piles of wood and dead bushes from yards to create a buffer that can slow the spread of a grass fire. It also advised unplugging appliances that are not in use and avoiding overloaded power strips, citing added strain on the electrical grid in high temperatures.
Parents were reminded to keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach, particularly when children are spending more time at home.
Businesses and farms near heavily vegetated areas were encouraged to establish firebreaks, which are cleared strips of land without vegetation. Operators of heavy machinery and vehicles were advised to keep equipment well maintained, as exhaust sparks can ignite parched grass.
Members of the public can report fires by calling the Fire Service hotline at 912. Emergency Medical Services can be reached at 912 or 226-2411.