Firefighters are still battling a massive blaze in the Amelia’s Ward area of Linden on Friday morning, more than 12 hours after the fire began, while thick smoke continues to affect residents in nearby communities.
Regional officials said the fire remains active in a valley area near sawmill operations, but firefighters have so far managed to prevent it from spreading.
Regional representative Dominique Blair, in an update Friday morning, said ranks of the Guyana Fire Service remain on the scene working to contain the blaze.
“Just received an update from the Fire Service regarding the fire in Amelia’s Ward. The fire is still burning in the valley area, but at this time it is not spreading,” Blair stated.
He explained that firefighters are continuing to soak the edges of the affected area in an effort to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby communities.
Despite the containment efforts, residents in surrounding areas have been affected by heavy smoke drifting through the community.
Authorities have urged persons who are experiencing difficulties or who need to relocate temporarily to contact the Region 10 Disaster Preparedness Team and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) for assistance. Residents requiring relocation support can call 505-0127.
Blair said the situation is being closely monitored as firefighters continue their efforts to fully extinguish the blaze.
The latest fire has reignited concerns among residents and officials, coming almost a year after a major sawmill-related fire in Amelia’s Ward in April 2025 that blanketed nearby communities with smoke for days.
Following that disaster, officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and sawmill operators met to discuss measures aimed at preventing similar incidents. The EPA had also raised the possibility of relocating sawmill operations and identifying alternative sites for the disposal of sawmill waste.
However, Member of Parliament Sharma Solomon said the recurrence of another major fire in the community is troubling.
“The fire now raging once again in the Amelia’s Ward community, linked to the sawmills in the area, is completely unacceptable,” Solomon said.
He noted that the community had already endured a similar disaster last year and warned that the recurrence raises serious questions about oversight, compliance and environmental management practices.
Solomon pointed out that nearly 2,000 residents in South Amelia’s Ward were severely affected during the previous incident and now face similar environmental and health risks.
“This situation is not simply about a fire. It is about the safety and well-being of residents,” he said, noting that thick smoke, air pollution and the possibility of the fire spreading pose risks to families, children and elderly residents.
He called for accountability and stronger enforcement of environmental and safety standards for industrial activities operating within the community.
Regional officials said emergency teams remain on alert while firefighters continue working to bring the blaze under control.
Residents are being encouraged to remain vigilant and to seek assistance if the smoke or fire conditions worsen.
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