A multi-agency team is assessing damage from forest fires in Karisparu, Region Eight, after fires reportedly started by burning garbage spread beyond control.
The Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Fire Service and Guyana Forestry Commission are coordinating the response and identifying areas at risk.
Read below the statement from the Civil Defence Commission:
The Civil Defence Commission (CDC), along with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Guyana Fire Service (GFS), and Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), are coordinating a response to ongoing forest fires affecting the community of Karisparu, Region Eight.
Initial reports indicate that the fires were deliberately set by burning garbage within the community, which subsequently spread beyond control.
The joint response team is currently on the ground in Karisparu, actively conducting damage assessments. The agencies are working collaboratively to assess the extent of the damage, identify areas at risk, and implement the necessary response measures.
Preliminary assessments indicate that the fires have caused damage to agricultural lands and housing materials, while several residential properties remain under threat. Of particular concern is the potential impact on the main access bridge spanning Karisparu Creek, which connects the airstrip to the village.
As part of the ongoing response, the joint team also conducted a community sensitisation exercise with residents of Karisparu, focusing on forest fire prevention, the dangers associated with open burning, and the importance of adopting safe practices to minimise the risk of further incidents
Additionally, in response to the current Super El Niño conditions, the Government of Guyana established a multi-agency committee earlier this year to coordinate national preparedness and response efforts. The committee continues to sensitise all ten administrative regions, while actively monitoring emerging threats and maintaining readiness to mobilise resources and respond to any developing situation.
The CDC will continue to monitor the situation closely and coordinate with the relevant agencies to facilitate an effective response.
Citizens are strongly advised to refrain from open burning, particularly during dry conditions, and to exercise extreme caution when undertaking activities that may result in uncontrolled forest fires.
The Civil Defence Commission remains committed to safeguarding lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure and will provide further updates as additional information becomes available.
