HOT, HOT, HOT

The Fire Services of Trinidad and Tobago, Fire Prevention Department yesterday reported a total of 946 bushfires between February and March this year.

Figures from the Fire Prevention Department revealed that 75 bushfires occurred in February and 193 in March. Those fires took place in North Trinidad.

Meanwhile in the south of the country, 88 bushfires took place in February and 346 in March. In Central Trinidad there were 63 in February and 133 in March. Tobago had 11 bushfires in February and 27 in March.

A fire prevention officer yesterday said that this year’s figure for bushfires is higher because last year’s heavy rains helped to control bushfires.

“On the average day there are lots of bushfires that are out of the range of the Fire Department. The Ministry of Agriculture also has a Forestry Division that assists us with extinguishing bushfires,” the officer said.

The Conservator of Forests, Kenny Singh said that the Ministry of Agriculture has been able to deal effectively with bushfires for the past year.

“In the last two years, the seasons were wet, but in 2002 we were overwhelmed,” Singh explained.

Ground crews with hand tools cut lines to prevent the fire from spreading. Suppression methods and a back pump with water are also used to control the forest fires.

“We are responsible only for forest fires and not the typical roadside and open areas. Fires that are adjacent to built up areas are for the local fire department,” Singh said.

Meanwhile, Water and Sewerage Authorities (WASA), assistant manager, corporate communications specialist, Yolande Simmons, yesterday said that the water levels in the reservoir are higher than last year.

However, on Monday, a bushfire in the Diego Martin Hills of La Puerta and Saganga Hill destroyed crops and property. Officers from the Four Roads and the Wrightson Road Fire Stations spent the entire day in a desperate attempt to control the raging fire that quickly engulfed a house, crops and threatened other property in the area.

An unoccupied house valued at $7,000 was destroyed in La Puerta by the raging fire.

A National Security helicopter was brought in with Bambi Buckets to deposit sea water on the fire. The officers then made a fire trace to enclose the bushes that were burning by the fire.

Fire Services public relations officer, John Springle told Newsday that members of the public should exercise caution when discarding refuge and clearing land for planting in the dry season.

“Members of the public have to be careful. There is strong wind and embers can catch on fire,” Springle said.

According to the Agricultural Fires Act, fines can be imposed on persons, and they can be charged and brought before a court, or imprisoned for burning bushes or burning refuse without permission from the local fire department.

Meanwhile, bushfires have been one of the causes for floods during the rainy season.

Minister of Public Utilities and the Environment, Pennelope Beckles and Fire Services Chief, Alfred Lennox and CEO of WASA, Errol Grimes were unavailable for comment.