Latest update September 20th, 2026 10:40 AM
Fire Service warns against burning garbage
…as El Niño raises wildfire threat
(Kaieteur News) – With Guyana bracing for hotter and drier conditions as El Niño intensifies, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has issued a stern warning to citizens to abandon the practice of burning garbage and grass, cautioning that a single spark could trigger devastating fires across the country.
In an advisory issued by Chief Fire Officer Gregory Wickham, the fire service said the prolonged dry spell will leave vegetation parched and highly combustible, creating ideal conditions for fast-moving grass and structural fires.
Chief Fire Officer, Gregory Wickham
The agency stressed that fire prevention must become everyone’s responsibility, urging residents in all 10 administrative regions to exercise extreme caution as temperatures climb.
At the top of the fire service’s warning is an appeal for an immediate halt to all open burning. Citizens are being urged not to burn garbage, dried leaves or yard waste, noting that strong winds during the dry season can quickly carry embers into nearby fields, homes and businesses.
Farmers have also been cautioned against using fire to clear land. Instead, the fire service is encouraging safer methods such as manual clearing or composting to reduce the risk of bushfires spreading uncontrollably.
The advisory also calls on homeowners to prepare their properties by clearing dried grass, dead bushes, piles of wood and other combustible material from around their yards to create protective buffer zones against advancing fires.
With increased electricity use expected during the hotter months, the fire service is reminding residents to unplug appliances when they are not in use and avoid overloading electrical outlets and power strips, warning that electrical faults remain a leading cause of fires.
Parents and guardians are also being urged to keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach, particularly as many youngsters spend more time at home during the holiday period.
Businesses, farmers and industrial operators have likewise been placed on alert. The Fire Service is recommending that properties near heavily vegetated areas establish firebreaks by clearing strips of land free of vegetation to help stop the spread of bushfires. Owners of heavy-duty equipment and vehicles are also being advised to ensure machinery is properly maintained to prevent hot exhaust systems or sparks from igniting dry grass.
The fire service reminded the public that indiscriminate burning of trash and lighting fires that threaten life or property are illegal under Guyana’s laws. Residents are urged to report fires immediately by calling the fire service on 912, while medical emergencies can be reported to 912 or 226-2411.
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