The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) recorded 930 fires across A-Division between January and October this year, a 21.4 per cent increase compared with the 766 incidents reported during the same period in 2025.
Grass and rubbish fires accounted for much of the rise. Divisional Officer Otis Charges, who is in charge of Operations, said those incidents climbed by 39.9 per cent, from 341 last year to 477 in 2026.
A-Division covers Georgetown, the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara. Charges said grass fires remain a major concern in communities along the coast and East Bank, while Georgetown has recorded a high number of rubbish fires. In some communities, about 90 per cent of reported fires are linked to grass and rubbish burning, he said.
The Fire Service warned that fires started to clear land or dispose of waste can spread quickly in dry or windy conditions, threatening homes, businesses, vehicles and electrical infrastructure. Smoke can also affect people with respiratory conditions and reduce visibility for motorists.
The increase is also placing additional demands on firefighters and equipment, the GFS said. Crews responding to grass and rubbish fires face intense heat, shifting winds, thick smoke and potentially hazardous materials hidden in burning waste. Each deployment also draws resources away from other emergencies, including house fires and rescue operations.
The service is urging residents to use safer methods to dispose of rubbish and clear vegetation instead of burning it. Anyone who sees an uncontrolled fire should call 912.
