Numerous Bush Fires Problematic For Fire Services Jermine Abel The large number of bush fires associated with the current drought-like conditions in the Federation is negatively impacting the operations of the Fire and Rescue Services. According to Fire Chief Everett O’Garro conditions are “ripe” for fires to burn faster and spread very quickly across land. Speaking with The Observer, the Fire Chief revealed that in some instances, his officers have had to contend with more than 20 bushfires per week in St. Kitts, most of which, he said, were deliberately set. “The present weather condition is putting a huge strain on our resources due to the fact that we have been having an increased number of bushfires. Having to deal with that on a daily basis has put a huge strain on the resources that we have. We have limited resources because we are a small department,” O’Garro said. The fire service, however, recently acquired a fire tender that has boosted its capacity, which O’Garro said is critical in their firefighting efforts. “We have just acquired a brand new fire appliance which is designed to deal with wildland fires. This has made the situation a little better for us in terms of our response and operations,” he added. In relation to the dry conditions, the Fire Chief explained that his department is working in conjunction with the Water Department in order to monitor the low levels of water. Despite the low level of water, Chief O’Garro informed that due to the devastation that fires can cause, the Water Department grants the fire service easy access to the life-saving commodity. The fire department is continuing to urge persons in various communities to desist from the practice of lighting bushfires.
