The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has revealed that a total of 84 fire outbreaks were recorded in the Eastern Region in January 2023.
Under the same period under review in 2022, the Fire Service recorded 154 fire incidents. Fire outbreaks in the region have declined by 70 cases, representing a 45.45% decrease.
In total, the Service recorded 98 incidents last month. In January 2022, a total of 172 incidents were reported, indicating a 74 decrease in incidents, representing a 43.02% decline.
According to the Service, “the reason for the decrease can be attributed to two factors, being better favourable weather conditions in relation to the outbreak of bushfires as compared to the same period last year as bushfires accounted for the larger chunk of incidents (110 out of 172), and an intensified anti-bushfire education campaign by the various stations.”
The high figure recorded last year January was as a result of the astronomical increase in bushfires (110) resulting from the severe intensity of the harmattan weather during the first quarter, the Service noted.
In reference to vehicular accidents, January 2023 recorded 9 incidents as compared to 13 incidents during the same period last year.
This decrease can be attributed to the intensified road safety education embarked on by the various fire stations at bus and lorry stations, with transport company owners as well as with private individuals.