Bushfires increase

Bushfires increase

08 February 2011

published by www.fijitimes.com


Fiji — THE National Fire Authority hopes the proposal to impose fire ban will reduce the incidence of bushfires in the Western Division.

Bushfires make up 74 per cent of the total fires recorded in the region last year.

Of the 987 bushfires last year, the Western Division recorded the highest with 731 cases followed by the Central Division with 180.

Statistics provided by the National Fire Authority shows that the recorded bushfire cases increased to 987 cases last year from the 754 cases recorded in 2009.

NFA said it was concerned about the increase.

Chief executive officer Jone Koroi said the uncontrollable burning of rubbish, bush and sugarcane farms could pose serious threats to members of the public.

He said the NFA met with the Forestry, Agriculture and Environment ministries to discuss ways and means to solve the problem.

“The meeting is to discuss the need to impose fire bans during dry weather conditions in order to minimise fire spread causing damage to property as a result of grasslands, rubbish, bush and sugarcane fires.”

“Imposing fire ban in the country will enable the NFA to prosecute those people who burn rubbish, bush and sugarcane farms unnecessarily.

“Also as part of our solution to solve this problem are the provisions of awareness and educating the public on the culture of refraining from unnecessary burning of bush, grass etc but to look at recycling, composting etc,” said Mr Koroi.


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