Trelawny Fire Department concerned about bush fires

The fire department in Trelawny is concerned about the escalating number of bush fires across the parish.

"We started with eight in January and to date we are at 90,” Superintendent Roland Walters told The Gleaner.

“To respond to these fires put a strain on the officers. To put out a fire can take up to three hours. In one case recently by the time the team reached back to the station they had to respond to another," Walters said.

He said the concern is amplified because of the dry summer months.

"There are usually more bush fires during summer," noted Walters. 

All these fires come at a cost.

The total cost to property is estimated to be millions of dollars.

"Farmers have had their crops destroyed, one car was destroyed, and the Hampden Sugar Factory narrowly escaped going up in flames when a bush fire blazed close to the distillery," stated Walters.

Walters is appealing to residents to cease the burning of garbage and farmers from burning land while preparing to plant crops.

"These activities are a source for the escalation of bush fires," said Walters.

- Leon Jackson

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