Bushfires spark concern
Bushfires spark concern
20 July 2013
published by www.fijitimes.com
Fiji — FIFTEEN more bushfires were recorded over the past five days in the Western Division bringing the total over the past six months to 135.
The figure has sparked concerns from the National Fire Authority over the increasing number of bushfires recorded in the region.
NFA chief executive officer John O’Connor highlighted that the dry season coupled with the recent strong winds over the country has seen the increase in bush, rubbish and grassfires.
“NFA is concerned with these increasing trends in bush, rubbish and grassfires because we are in the dry season and with the current strong winds experienced, such bush, grass or rubbish fires can easily get out of control and become a huge risk to sugarcane farms, properties, travelling public and to the individual lives of the members of the community,” he said.
“Most of these fires are usually intentionally started by members of the community who immediately call the NFA when the rubbish, bush or grassfire they started gets out of control.
“Such fires getting out of control also results in some cane farm fires.”
He said the grassfire in Natabua, Lautoka, on Sunday was a clear indication of the disastrous impact caused by an out of control bushfire.
