'Stop The Burning'
January 2010 was the most fiery ever recorded in Barbados.
And acting Chief Fire Officer Lloydson Phillips has appealed to Barbadians to stop the dangerous practice of igniting grass fires which accounted for a phenomenal 304 of the 452 fires recorded for the month.
As a result, the island’s 249 fire officers have been severely stretched trying to respond to the large number of fires.
Phillips told the WEEKEND NATION he was particularly concerned about the sudden upsurge in grass fires and noted there were four times as many fires over the highest ever number (82) in 2008 in a comparative five-year period (2005 – 2010).
“Persons light fires and cause open burning for many different reasons. It may be to get rid of rodents, cow itch vines, to clear a lot, to improve security or to beautify their surroundings,” the acting chief fire officer said.
“Whatever the reason, there is a failure to recognise the inherent danger and the high level of risk which others are exposed to as a result of this indiscriminate action,” he added.
Reports indicated that on occasions last month there were as many as six fire tenders fighting a single grassfire in an effort to safeguard inhabited districts. Phillips cited the case of a sheep farmer who lit a grassy area in an effort to better secure his stock from attacks by dogs. The fire got out of control.
Phillips warned of the negative impact fires had on the economy. Barbadians should also consider the drought situation facing the country over the past 12 months. “Please desist from burning the grass and sugar canes. Stop indiscriminate burning, it is the dry season and outside is quite windy. Exercise greater vigilance at home and in the work place,” he urged.
The drastic increase in fires last month followed an encouraging 25 per cent reduction in overall fires for 2009. The senior fire officer noted that Barbadians last year demonstrated a high level of cooperation with the Fire Service’s campaign to reduce fires.
“These statistics (2009) reflected very responsible behaviour by our citizens and was an appropriate response to the economic challenges we are currently facing,” he said.
Source: www.nationnews.com
And acting Chief Fire Officer Lloydson Phillips has appealed to Barbadians to stop the dangerous practice of igniting grass fires which accounted for a phenomenal 304 of the 452 fires recorded for the month.
As a result, the island’s 249 fire officers have been severely stretched trying to respond to the large number of fires.
Phillips told the WEEKEND NATION he was particularly concerned about the sudden upsurge in grass fires and noted there were four times as many fires over the highest ever number (82) in 2008 in a comparative five-year period (2005 – 2010).
“Persons light fires and cause open burning for many different reasons. It may be to get rid of rodents, cow itch vines, to clear a lot, to improve security or to beautify their surroundings,” the acting chief fire officer said.
“Whatever the reason, there is a failure to recognise the inherent danger and the high level of risk which others are exposed to as a result of this indiscriminate action,” he added.
Reports indicated that on occasions last month there were as many as six fire tenders fighting a single grassfire in an effort to safeguard inhabited districts. Phillips cited the case of a sheep farmer who lit a grassy area in an effort to better secure his stock from attacks by dogs. The fire got out of control.
Phillips warned of the negative impact fires had on the economy. Barbadians should also consider the drought situation facing the country over the past 12 months. “Please desist from burning the grass and sugar canes. Stop indiscriminate burning, it is the dry season and outside is quite windy. Exercise greater vigilance at home and in the work place,” he urged.
The drastic increase in fires last month followed an encouraging 25 per cent reduction in overall fires for 2009. The senior fire officer noted that Barbadians last year demonstrated a high level of cooperation with the Fire Service’s campaign to reduce fires.
“These statistics (2009) reflected very responsible behaviour by our citizens and was an appropriate response to the economic challenges we are currently facing,” he said.
Source: www.nationnews.com
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