AYV News, February 11, 2025
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) is deeply concerned over the surge in fire incidents across the country, with 38 cases reported in January and February 2025. The Southern Region has been the hardest hit, recording 15 incidents, followed by the Western Area with 10.
The Northern Region reported 8 incidents, while the Eastern and Northwestern regions recorded 5 and 4 incidents, respectively.
The alarming increase in fire outbreaks has placed significant strain on NDMA’s emergency response teams nationwide. In response, the Agency is urging residents to remain vigilant and adhere to proactive fire prevention measures. NDMA’s preliminary assessments indicate that most of the incidents stem from electrical faults, unsafe cooking practices, and the improper burning of farms.
The ongoing dry season, which heightens fire risks, has further contributed to bushfires in many villages.
The NDMA, in collaboration with the National Fire Force and other key stakeholders, continues to engage communities through public awareness campaigns on radio and TV to educate citizens on fire prevention.
These efforts focus on promoting the safe handling of electrical appliances, responsible cooking practices, and the establishment of farm belts to prevent bushfires.
Lit. Gen. (Rtd.) Brima Sesay, Director General of the NDMA, emphasized the need for a collective approach to fire prevention. “The recent spike in fire incidents is deeply concerning, and we must all take responsibility for fire safety.
Simple preventive measures; such as switching off electrical appliances when not in use, avoiding overloading sockets, refraining from cooking indoors, and ensuring the proper demarcation of farm belts to prevent bushfires, can save lives and property.
The NDMA remains committed to supporting the affected populations and strengthening our national response capacity,” he stated.
The NDMA is actively conducting assessments across the country to determine the actual beneficiaries to provide necessary assistance to cushion the impact of the fire incidents.
The Agency urges the public to remain vigilant and report potential fire hazards promptly. Targeted strategies and implementation plans are currently being developed to reduce future fire risks.
The NDMA reassures the public that it is working tirelessly to minimize the sporadic occurrence of fire incidents across the country. Citizens are encouraged to stay informed and report any fire threats via NDMA’s toll-free line 1199 on all networks.
