…as EPA advises precaution during ongoing fire suppression efforts
Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Philips, on Tuesday visited Amelia’s Ward, Linden to assess the situation, amid the fire and smoke affecting the Waaldijk Sawmill area.
During his visit, he received a comprehensive briefing on the response efforts of the relevant stakeholders.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill.
Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Philips
While on-site, the Prime Minister examined the containment strategies currently in place and explored additional approaches to ensure the fire is fully extinguished and the community remains safe.
He was updated on key efforts, which include the creation of a large ditch around the fire zone, designed to push trees inward and form a containment barrier to prevent further spread of the flames into the forest and nearby residential areas.
To support ground operations, a fire hydrant has been installed, and other water sources have been identified.
Speaking during a live interview on local radio while in Linden, Prime Minister Phillips, who holds ministerial responsibility for disaster response, assured that the Government of Guyana will continue to provide the necessary equipment, resources, and logistical support to the Guyana Fire Service, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), and other key response agencies.
He explained that the fire has been contained, and the focus now is on suppressing the smoke. The Government, he emphasised, is mobilising every available resource to address the situation effectively.
From a Government standpoint, we treat this as a disaster. Government will leave no stone unturned in trying to bring relief to the people of Linden as early as possible.”
Minister Edghill noted that all practical measures are currently being implemented to ensure a return to normalcy.
Additionally, temporary shelters have already been established by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) for persons affected by the incident, while the EPA remains actively engaged on the ground, monitoring the air quality and consulting with residents.
Member of Parliament, Mr Jermaine Figueira, and officials from the Guyana Fire Service, (GFS) Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and members of the local private sector were also on the ground.
According to an EPA release, the fire, located in Amelia’s Ward, Linden, involves subsurface organic and waste material, resulting in persistent smoke. However, EPA air quality monitoring conducted up to April 14 indicates that carbon monoxide (CO) levels have not exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) standards within the community.
However, reports received from several residents indicate discomfort and health impacts, particularly among pregnant women and children with asthma or other respiratory vulnerabilities.
As the EPA continues to monitor conditions, it advised that it will notify the relevant health and disaster response authorities should risk levels change.
As a precaution, the EPA advised that residents limit outdoor activity, especially if smoke or odour is present; keep windows and doors closed to reduce indoor smoke exposure; use face masks (preferably N95) when outdoors if smoke is heavy; watch for symptoms such as breathing difficulty, coughing, dizziness, or chest tightness, especially in vulnerable family members, and report severe symptoms to the nearest health centre immediately.
In its ongoing actions, EPA will continue air quality surveillance and public health risk assessments, where advisories will be issued to the Ministry of Health, RDC/NDC, and Civil Defence Commission based on updated monitoring data, and residents will be kept informed through public advisories and local authorities.
The GFS, CDC, and the EPA are working closely to ensure this situation is managed effectively and to protect the health and well-being of all residents, it assured.
The EPA also advised residents to remain alert and follow official updates.
