Linden records approximately 48 bush fires within a month

In light of the current “dry spell” which is being experienced across the country, the Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) community has recorded approximately 48 bush fires over the past month. This is according to statistics from the community’s fire department.
Information from the department suggests that this is a major increase from previous years.
According to information received, some of the fires in the community are caused by the naturally occurring heat in the atmosphere, lit weeds and fires which result from dropped cigarettes.
The fire department has since issued warnings to members of the community to desist from lighting bush fires. The issue has also become one of concern for regional officials, who recently highlighted numerous challenges faced by the fire department given the increase in bush fires.
At a statutory meeting last week, Councillor Vladimir Glasgow highlighted some of the issues while putting forward a few recommendations.
He outlined that recently, the fire department in Linden has faced challenges due to issues such as location, distance, vehicle shortage and firefighting equipment.
“We had several fires around the mining town of Linden. I know in Richmond Hill as well we had several fires which also threatened the dish [television station] that we have up there. Some members of the community came out to assist as well because the fire wheel was in Block 22 assisting with another fire that was threatening a building”, he noted.
With the fire station being situated on the Mackenzie shore of Linden, Councillor Glasgow pointed out that there is a location which was identified for another station to be set up on the Wismar shore in addition to another location which was identified at Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie.
The Councillor indicated that there is need for more fire stations in the community as he also made the recommendation for persons in the community to be trained as part-time fire responders.
“This would assist greatly because like I said, two days ago there was a lot of bush fires set around the town of Linden based on the weather that we’re experiencing now. So if we can have persons trained we can initiate that, to assist firefighters in these instances,” he explained.
The Linden fire station is reportedly equipped with 2 fire tenders, however, regional officials have noted that with the increase in bush fires, response time is being affected. Areas such as Wisroc, Amelia’s Ward, Blueberry Hill and other areas in Linden have seen an increase in bush fires recently, with some threatening destruction of electrical power and telephone lines.
According to a Coomacka resident, a fire tender which was sent to the community to put out a bush fire last Friday encountered difficulties upon arrival. By then, the fire had reportedly spread to an area which housed old tyres.
“When the fire tender arrived, less than a minute after it stopped at the scene of the fire, the truck just broke down. Nothing ain’t coming on…the fire was extinguished by a few residents with the help of the Chinese company that is inside the village. I think that’s the only working fire tender in the entire region and it’s very embarrassing that something like that happened,” the resident stated.

Dysfunctional fire hydrants
As far back as 2015, regional officials had made calls for fire hydrants in Linden to be made functional again since most are currently dysfunctional, however, the issue has since remained.
Councillor Gordon Callender had suggested that officials contact the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Guyana Fire Service and the Guyana Water Incorporated to provide assistance in this regard.
He had noted that in numerous instances, the fire hydrants cannot supply water in cases of fire because of their deplorable condition.
Councillor Glasgow also alluded to the issue at the recent meeting.
“…we spoke a while ago at this same Council about putting back fire hydrants in certain strategic points within communities. That itself can assist the firefighters instead of coming with one truck and having to go back for more water”, he noted.
Additionally, Regional Chairman Renis Morian also pointed to challenges faced by fire tenders in accessing some of the locations where the fires occur.
“I support you [Councillor Glasgow] as it relates to the fire station. In my area they had three fires”, he noted.
As it relates to fire hydrants in the community, he said it is yet to be ascertained which agency’s responsibility it is.
“But as it is right now, we write Ministry of Public Infrastructure to talk about fire hydrants, we’ve written Bosai asking for help and we’ll continue to press that issue”, the Regional Chairman said.
In the case of homes, he said one of the challenges faced is the location where people choose to build. Morian said the issues will be raised at a security and fire meeting which was slated to be held recently.