Friday 26 / April / 2024
Muscat: High summer temperatures have posed fire risks to farm lands as the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) said it considers such cases the most commonly dealt with.
Despite numerous directives and advice to follow safety guidelines, some farm owners have neglected these warnings and suffer the consequences after fires spread throughout their farms.
According to PACDA, it dealt with 682 farm fires in 2015, compared with 626 and 835 in 2014 and 2013, respectively.
PACDA said the common causes of farms fires are the spontaneous flaming of fertilisers and dry grass due to high temperatures, neglect, or not using safety procedures or intentionally lighting objects on fire.
“To decrease and limit the risk of farm fires, keep the fertilisers in areas not exposed to direct sunlight and keep cigarette butts away from flammable materials,” advised PACDA.
They also advised not to cook near trees and dry grass or have barbeques.
Farms commonly have palm trees planted all around and the only way to dispose of them, as with other agricultural debris, is by burning them.
PACDA advised that agricultural remains should be eliminated by burning a special area designed for that purpose, provided it is located at a safe distance from other flammable objects and contains a water source to be used when necessary.
When asked why it makes a difference to avoid burning anything during windy weather, the PACDA official stated, “It pollutes the air and spreads it around. Some people can smell the smoke from miles away.”
PACDA also added some tips to deal with fires breaking out in their farms. They said people should seek help from nearby farms and try their best to prevent the fire from spreading to grass and trees; they should also contact PACDA at 9999 or 24343666, should they need help from fire fighters.
