Residents in several parts of the country have been going to sleep and waking up to smoky conditions in their communities, and the Environmental Protection Agency is reporting that those conditions are being caused by several fires across 8 of the 10 Administrative Regions of Guyana.
In a statement this morning, the EPA said there are currently a number of fires within Regions 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 9, noting that the fires have been caused by a mixture of “spontaneous combustion and possibly human-induced”.
The EPA said it is investigating the situation. It said it has noted “a significant increase in fires” being reported by residents from affected communities and detected via satellite imagery.
The Agency is advising residents and communities within the affected Regions to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions to ensure personal safety and reduce exposure to the smoke, which could potentially cause a dry cough, throat, and eye irritation.
Children, the elderly, and persons with underlying respiratory or cardiovascular illness are most vulnerable, the EPA noted.
Residents within the affected areas are also being advised to desist from lighting fires to burn garbage or vegetation.
The general public is also advised to report any sighting of fires to the Guyana Fire Service or the Civil Defense Commission and adhere to any advisory issued by local authorities.
On the West Demerara this morning, drivers were forced to park their cars for more than an hour along the roadsides as visibility was reduced because of the thick heavy smoke that was moving across the area. On the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara, many persons complained of waking up to a blanket of smoke in their homes.
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