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  • 6 hours ago
Recent bush fires in Tobago are posing a growing threat to the island's natural environment.

These fires, often fueled by prolonged dry conditions and human activity, have led to the destruction of forested areas, wildlife habitats, and important vegetation.

This from Acting Fire Station Officer in charge of Fire Prevention Sheridon Peters, as he spoke to TV6'S Elizabeth Williams, on the hills of Shaw Park Tobago. More in this report.
Transcript
00:00A lot of times when you have a lot of bushfires, removing a lot of the crop covering of the
00:09land,
00:11a lot of times it leads to a lot of flooding if you have sudden precipitation with rain.
00:17So I mean, that is some of the environmental effects that can also be caused from the extensive bushfires.
00:28Mr. Peters said human behaviour contributes to a number of bushfires.
00:33The situation underscores the need for stronger environmental management, fire prevention measures and the public awareness to protect Tobago's fragile
00:42ecosystems.
00:44We realised that during the COVID period, when there was the lockdown, there would have been a significant decline in
00:53the amount of bushfires that we experienced across Trinidad and Tobago.
00:58So even though the place was a bit dry, there was a significant decrease and that would have pointed to
01:03the fact that human interaction or human behaviour would have contributed a lot to the bushfires that we experienced.
01:12Fire season is observed from the 1st of December to the 30th of June, despite only 14 fires in Tobago
01:20as of last month.
01:22Officer Peters is pleading for citizens to remain responsible.
01:27He reveals statistics to TV6 News over a five-year period, 2021 to 2026.
01:35About 190-something figures in 2021, it would have increased to 225, 240 in 2023, 22, 23, 2024, we had
01:47a very high of 400 and something, right?
01:50It was, it had a drastic increase, right?
01:54And last year, due to the climatic conditions, we had a little decrease.
01:59A fire permit is only $10 and can be arranged through your nearest fire station, because if you conduct illegal
02:09burning, you could face a fine of $20,000 and six months in jail.
02:16Elizabeth Williams, TV6 News.
02:18Elizabeth Williams, TV6 News.
02:19Elizabeth Williams, TV6 News.
02:20Elizabeth Williams, TV6 News.
02:21Elizabeth Williams, TV6 News.
02:21Elizabeth Williams, TV6 News.
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