Western New Providence Residents Enraged Over Back To Back Bush Fires

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – For several days, a persistent bush fire has been burning through parts of western New Providence, filling the air with thick smoke and blanketing nearby neighborhoods in ash. The situation has become a growing concern for residents who say their health and safety are being threatened by the ongoing blaze.

Our News first visited the fire last Tuesday, and since then, flames have steadily traveled from the Airport Road corridor to Adelaide and surrounding communities.

Longtime Adelaide resident James Dupuch says he has been monitoring the fire since its early stages.

James Dupuch – Resident, Adelaide
“The smoke that’s coming into the Adelaide area, choking us out for, for days on end. Uh, it is still ongoing. It’s been going since the beginning of the week. Even before that, over the weekend.”

Another resident, a mother of four who asked not to be shown on camera, shared the emotional toll the fire has taken on her family, especially her children.

Resident – Western New Providence
“It’s been rough, especially yesterday with it getting so close in the back part of this, um, community. It was a lot, just the whole ash and just the scent of the, um, burning of garbage or trash and stuff like that. And it’s just been really unbearable.”

Drone footage captured by Our News reveals the full scope of the fire, showing how widespread the pockets of flames remain across the western part of the island.

Dupuch believes a massive brush pile left behind by an illegal charcoal operation may have contributed to the severity of the fire.

James Dupuch – Resident, Adelaide
“They left all of that trash there for months after they found out what was going on. I saw it happening, and now it caught a fire. It should have been removed. Or it should have been control burned.”

Peter Kerr, who has lived in the area for the past 14 years, says while conditions seem somewhat improved, concerns still remain.

Peter Kerr – Resident, Western New Providence
“These small pockets of fire, which still exist, um, can spread a little bit. But we think that a fairly good job has been done and we are hopeful that the Lord will send some rain now. I can see the clouds overhead. And so if you help us to pray, our prayers will always be answered.”

Residents continue to wait for relief as efforts to contain the fire persist. In the meantime, they are relying on faith, each other, and the hope that rainfall will finally bring the blaze to an end.