Big jump in number of bush fires

The number of bush fires recorded in Jamaica more than tripled in February when compared to the corresponding period last year.

Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Stewart Beckford, told JIS News that firefighters responded to 1,303 reports of bush fires last month, which represents a 224 per cent increase over the 402 recorded last year.

Beckford said the persistent drought conditions have fuelled the surge.

"It's putting a strain on our resources, and I want to ... urge farmers to desist from using the slash-and-burn technique. If you have to burn, it's best that you do so as late as possible in the afternoon or in the evening, when it's much cooler, and there may be less breeze around," he advised.

Beckford also encouraged farmers to create fire breaks, which are strips of open space, or gaps in vegetation, to prevent fires from spreading. He said that over the past five years, bush fires have been occurring throughout the year.

"A lot of that has to do with the drought conditions that the country has experienced, and is experiencing as we speak. In comparing January last year and January this year, what we have seen is a 76 per cent jump in the number of bush fires that we have had to respond to," the commissioner indicated. He said efforts are being made to acquire drones to aid firefighting efforts.

"If you look across the hillside and see what's happening in terms of the drought and the number of bush fires that we are having to respond to, these aerial equipment are very critical in allowing us to do surveillance," he indicated. Currently, the JFB enlists the Jamaica Defence Force's services to do flyovers.

"This allows for a higher reach. We can go up in the hills and do surveillance in terms of search-and-rescue operations and damage assessments. It also allows accessibility to certain areas that we may not necessarily be able to access on foot," Beckford said.

Despite the increase in bush fires, Beckford reported that there has been a decrease in fatalities due to fires. Twenty-four persons, 17 adults and seven children, perished in fires in 2022, compared to 42 the previous year.

"While one death is too many, we consider it a serious accomplishment to see far less deaths last year. But we are still not comfortable with these numbers," he said.

Beckford further informed that there was a reduction in the number of persons suffering injuries as result of fires last year.

"Forty-one injuries (excluding firefighters) were reported in 2022. There were 39 adults (30 males and nine females) and two children. Eight firefighters also received injuries. When compared to 2021, where there were 65 injuries (excluding firefighters), the numbers show a 37 per cent reduction," Beckford said.