EUROPE’S RAVAGING WILDFIRE: AFRICA’S SAFETY GAIN
Recently a historic heat wave continues to scorch parts of Europe where extreme weather has broken temperature record and fuelled dozens of wildfire. The fire crises has flared up threats and revolted dire consequences for health biodiversity and the economy. Hospitals are cancelling surgeries because operating rooms are too hot. In some places, road crews have been on alert to spread sand on road surfaces to prevent them from melting. Schools have been closing early because of rising temperatures, while many workplaces are advising people to work from home as citizens are advised to stay hydrated and cool. The ravaging wildfire has destroyed homes and many public places as the world look on with much anguish.
Notably, the wildfire is creeping through Europe and the Mediterranean with devastating consequences. In France’s southwestern Gironde region more than 1,700 firefighters are trying to contain massive fires that has already burned 47,000 acres and forced the evacuation of more than 31,000 people. In Spain, more than 30 different wildfires are burning in different regions which have forced the evacuation of more than 3000 people in Northwestern Extremadura and Galicia regions. In Portugal, about 1000 firefighters are trying to contain a dozen fires in the country’s central and northern region. In Croatia’s coastline region, wildfire burned for days leaving fireguards to evacuate locals. In parts of southwestern turkey wildfire intensely burned forcing the redeployment of more firefighters. In a recent report by the United Nation Environment Protection Agency shows that wildfire had killed over 2000 people in Western Europe in the first month of July as wildfire continue to be a threat in today’s globalised world. wildfires are becoming more intense as they are raving communities and ecosystems in their path. With global temperatures on the rise, the need to reduce wildfire risk is more critical than ever.
With these recent events sweeping parts of Europe, Safety Consultants and Solutions Provider (SCSP) is concerned about the safety of the African continent. Since wildfire is not pronounced in Africa, it is expedient we take drastic steps in safeguarding and preventing our continent. A common African adage says “when you see your neighbours beards on fire, quickly soak yours in water”. It is in this regard that we make a call for wildfire safety in Africa.
Generally, policies put in place to combat wildfires are rallied around several policies. To start with, Government and all stakeholders must be fully prepared in acquiring first intervention equipments such as forest fire trucks, aircraft dispensers, communication gadgets amongst many others. Also new technologies such as Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems should be leveraged on to improve on data acquisition and analysis for fire forecasting and prediction as prevention is increasingly considered as the most important approach to wildfire management. Investing in fire prediction and prevention is paramount proactively; and a commitment that must be at the heart of all which must evidently play out at local, sub national and regional levels. Africa must strengthen education and awareness improvement on wildfire prevention to teach citizens on personal and corporate safety tips . More so, policymakers must focus on strengthening cooperation and mutual integration between stakeholders and countries as fire knows no borders or sector. This will require greater coordinated expertise through public – private partnership and concerted multidisciplinary research.
Safety Consultants and Solutions Provider (SCSP) is fully committed and poised to promoting safety across Africa as event unfold across the world. It is our utmost desire that events in part of the world should be a propelling force in advocating for safety in other parts. We must do all we can now before there is an irreversible damage to our planet.
