The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

A GROUP of volunteer firefighters have successfully combated two separate wildfires in the last five days on the island of Abaco.

Local reports from residents indicate that on Saturday, a wildfire was sighted near the small, 70 home community of Sweeting Village.

Due to the close proximity of the flames to nearby homes, all of the island’s fire response units were mobilised immediately.

Subsequently, first responders identified another blaze in areas between Spring City and Marsh Harbour.

Resources and manpower had to be divided to combat both blazes.

The 20-man group, most of whom were enlisted earlier this week, were able to restrict the spread of both fires.

According to sources, the Marsh Harbour Airport was affected “partially” by the smoke emanating from the second fire, but it never stopped flight services.

The island of Abaco to date has no government-funded resources to fight fires. All three fire trucks on the island were funded through fundraisers and charitable donations.