National

How to Prevent Brush Fires

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – As of this morning, the devastating fires sweeping Maui and Hawaii’s Big Island have claimed 36 lives and displaced thousands of Hawaiians.

Published

2 years ago

August 10, 2023

Marlena Leonard

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – As of this morning, the devastating fires sweeping Maui and Hawaii’s Big Island have claimed 36 lives and displaced thousands of Hawaiians, leaving many fleeing to the sea to escape the flames.

The fires are being blamed on a number of factors, dry vegetation, low humidity, and have been exacerbated by strong winds, which can cause a fire over a mile from your home to be at your door in a matter of minutes.

We’re not unfamiliar with brush fires here in The Bahamas, with our brush fire season running from December to March – but our brush fires are often less of an unfortunate perfect storm, like what happened in Hawaii. Here, the finger is often pointed at people who burn their garbage.

Garbage burning causes a number of pollutants to be released into the atmosphere like acid gases, heavy metals and other harmful compounds – but beyond that, when fires spread beyond your yard, controlling the flames can prove difficult, especially on family islands where fire services are either limited or even non-existent.

Throwing trash out of your car and into the bush can also cause fires, believe it or not.

Tossed cigarettes and even broken glass, thanks to its magnifying power concentrating sun rays on grass or twigs, can quickly become out-of-control brush fires.