Forest fires threaten homes, farmland in Karisparu

Forest fires in Karisparu, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), have damaged agricultural lands and housing materials, with several residential properties remaining under threat as a multi-agency team works to contain the risks and assess the damage.

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC), in collaboration with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Guyana Fire Service (GFS) and Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), is coordinating the response to the fires, which were reported on Sunday.

Related coverageGuyana Fire Service Urges Fire Safety During Fire Prevention Month8 reports

Follow

Initial reports suggest that the fires may have started when garbage was burned within the community before spreading out of control and threatening nearby homes, agricultural lands and other infrastructure. A joint response team was deployed to Karisparu to conduct damage assessments, identify areas at risk and determine the measures needed to address the situation. Preliminary assessments have confirmed damage to agricultural lands and housing materials, while several residential properties remain at risk.