Farmers Urged to Seek Guidance from JFB on Slash-and-Burn Method

Farmers who use the slash-and-burn technique to clear their fields are being urged to seek guidance from the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) to prevent bush fires.

The call comes as the country continues to record significantly high increases in bush fires.

Speaking with JIS News recently, Commissioner Stewart Beckford said the JFB responded to 6,443 bush fire calls last year.

“A lot of our farmers continue to slash-and-burn. This is a method we have been saying is unsustainable… but if you must do it, do so when the risk of the fire getting out of control and spreading is lessened,” the Commissioner said.

He informed that the Fire Prevention Unit of the JFB is prepared to assist farmers in safely executing the popular land-clearing method, which should be done in the evenings when the temperature is cooler.

Commissioner Beckford noted that the burning of fields has led to disasters in the past, destroying many acres of farmland with crops and irrigation systems.

For this reason, he said farmers must ensure to implement precautionary measures to prevent fires from spreading.

“We also encourage farmers to create a break around the area that they are burning so that the fire will not spread to any adjoining property if there is a sudden gush of wind,” Commissioner Beckford said.

Bush fires have already been recorded in St. Catherine, Westmoreland, and Clarendon, many of which were caused by the careless use of fire.