Govt. declares Regional Disaster in Amelia’s Ward

Apr 18, 2025
News

…as sawmill fire rages on

Government has declared a regional disaster in Amelia’s Ward Linden as the firefighters and other stakeholders struggle to contain the blaze that destroyed a sawmill in the area last week.

Kaieteur News- In a press statement, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) said it is actively monitoring and responding to the ongoing fire in Amelia’s Ward Industrial Area, which has been burning continuously for approximately five days. “Despite firefighting efforts by the Guyana Fire Service, with support from the CDC, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Regional Democratic Council, Region 10, and other supporting agencies, including the operators in the area, the fire continues to emit thick smoke and dust, affecting nearby communities,” the statement read.

Govt. declares Regional Disaster in Amelia’s Ward

Despite firefighting efforts, the fire continues to emit thick smoke and dust, affecting nearby communities

According to the CDC, Prime Minister Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips visited the area on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. He informed a community radio station in Linden that while the fire has been mostly contained, additional efforts are needed to prevent further spread and to reduce smoke in the area. “He also declared a Regional Disaster due to the significant environmental, social, and economic impacts the fire has had on the region thus far,” the CDC said.

According to the CDC, environmental assessments and resident interviews conducted by emergency response teams have revealed significant public health and environmental concerns, as well as property damage. The CDC said it is continuing to coordinate with all relevant agencies and stakeholders to manage the response.

Meanwhile, the CDC said too that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed that the average level of carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in residential areas is approximately 2.5 parts per million (ppm), well below the national standard threshold of 20 ppm. “While these readings remain within the safe range according to national air quality standards, the persistent smoke and particulate matter may still pose risks to vulnerable individuals.

The Civil Defence Commission urges residents in affected areas to report any new symptoms or concerns to the local emergency services and to limit outdoor exposure where possible. Affected residents who wish to be evacuated can be housed in temporary shelters managed by the CDC. Please also be advised that the area is restricted to public access and should be avoided unless you are emergency response personnel. To mitigate against future incidents, an alternate dumpsite is being considered,” the statement concluded.

Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon told this newspaper on Wednesday that the township is receiving aerial support from the CDC as efforts continue to contain the fire at the Waaldijk Sawmill in Linden. Solomon explained that a helicopter is being used to disperse water from overhead onto a few sporadic areas. He expressed gratitude to the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) for bringing the inferno under control. “So that is the visual look of what things are, however, the smoke, because they’ve managed to control most of that flame, the material is still combustible, not combustible, but it is still flammable from internal; it’s smoking a lot, and that is the major concern now,” he explained.

There were a number of agencies involved in the battle against the flames in the last few weeks, however, additional resources were requested due to the severity of the situation. The mayor disclosed that from the onset, the township has been “seeking intervention and help beyond the capacity of the local community, and I want to also say that capacity included not only the Fire Service, but also many organisations and private people who rendered assistance. It was outside of that capacity, and help was being asked for.”