KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), is urging farmers to take immediate action to protect their farms, crops, livestock, and livelihoods from bush fires as hot, dry, and windy conditions continue to affect the agricultural sector.

The warning comes as the country continues to experience drought conditions in several parishes and bush fires continue to be reported islandwide.

The authority is instructing farmers to immediately discontinue the use of slash-and-burn methods for land preparation, noting that fires used for clearing land can quickly spread beyond control and threaten neighbouring farms, forests and communities.

It urged farmers not to light fires outdoors during dry conditions, even when conditions appear safe or discard lighted cigarettes, charcoal or firewood without completely extinguishing them with water or burying them safely.

RADA also reminded farmers that discarding burning materials is prohibited under environmental and forestry regulations.

Farmers are further asked to follow Watershed Protection Regulations, including restrictions on open burning, slash-and-burn clearing, and unattended fires in designated watershed areas, the Rio Cobre, Yallahs Valley, Hope River and Rio Minho, which apply annually from February 1 to October 31.

RADA also implored the farming community to stay alert and report fires.

“Monitor your surroundings for signs of smoke or fire, especially during dry periods. Report any fire outbreak immediately and alert neighbouring farmers to help protect the wider community,” the agency said.

RADA further encouraged the establishment of fire breaks, which are cleared strips of land that act as barriers to slow or stop fires from spreading across farms, noting that properly maintained fire breaks can also provide safe access routes for emergency responders during a fire emergency.

The agency said farmers should:

— Clear vegetation down to bare soil or maintain closely mowed green strips;

— Establish fire breaks along fields, property boundaries and areas bordering forests;

— Create fire breaks around homes, storage facilities, livestock pens, and other important farm infrastructure;

— Ensure fire breaks are wide enough to prevent flames from crossing; and

— Regularly remove dry leaves, bushes, grass, and crop residue from these areas.

Noting that good farm waste management helps reduce fire risks by limiting the build-up of combustible materials, the agency encouraged farmers to properly sort and store agricultural waste, keep agricultural plastics, empty chemical containers, discarded timber, and other waste materials away from buildings and crop fields, and avoid open burning of waste materials.

RADA said all farmers should have a basic fire preparedness plan in place with key measures including: maintaining accessible water storage points, keeping fire extinguishers and firefighting tools in working condition, posting emergency contact numbers in visible locations, training workers on evacuation procedures and basic fire containment measures and establishing clear communication procedures during emergencies.