Stop flicking cigarette butts near farms, NFA warns

Motorists and travellers have been warned against flicking cigarette butts onto roadsides and near farms as dry conditions increase the risk of bushfires across Fiji.

National Fire Authority (NFA) chief executive officer Puamau Sowane issued the warning as firefighters continued to respond to bushfire reports daily during the El Niño dry spell.

Mr Sowane also urged farmers to establish firebreaks to protect their crops and properties from spreading fires.

He said 12 bushfires were reported in the Western Division on Diwali night alone, highlighting the fire risks during the prolonged dry conditions.

"We continue to receive quite a lot of bush fire reports and we do attend to it, however, unnecessary water is being wasted to contain fires which could be prevented in the first place".

Mr Sowane said the NFA had not yet compiled the total number of bushfires reported during the El Niño period.

However, he confirmed that firefighters were attending to frequent incidents, including bushfires along the Sigatoka corridor during the Diwali period.

Farmers urged to establish firebreaks

Mr Sowane warned that dry and windy conditions could allow bushfires to spread to neighbouring farms and properties.

He urged farmers to establish firebreaks and prepare plans to prevent and respond to fires.

Firebreaks are cleared areas designed to reduce combustible vegetation and help slow the spread of flames.

"Farm owners need to strategise a plan how to combat a fire incident and ways to prevent it from eventuating in the first place," he said.

He said farm and property owners should take preventive measures before fires threatened their land.

Western Division worst affected

Another bushfire was reported in the Naulu area of Nakasi yesterday.

Mr Sowane said the Western Division remained the worst affected by bushfire reports.

He explained that while NFA fire appliances could help protect residential properties, preventing bushfires from spreading required preparation by farmers, landowners and communities.

He also urged people to stop activities that could start bushfires and put lives and properties at risk.

"Everyone has to play their part and people engaged in setting up bush fires need to stop now to protect our people from further destruction," he added.