A Small Fire Can Burn a Whole Village: Franciscan Priest Cautions Kimbe Residents Amid El Niño Dry Season
Kimbe, West New Britain - A Franciscan Capuchin Friar based in the Diocese of Kimbe, who is also the Parish Priest of Bitokara - St. Theresia of the Child Jesus and the Coordinator of JPIC - Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation - within the Capuchins in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, is urging residents to be mindful of how they handle fire during this El Niño period, warning that dry conditions, strong winds and careless handling of lighters and cigarettes are fueling dangerous bushfires across the region.
Friar Evance Amani Msechu, OFM Cap, said bush burning has been ongoing for almost two months in many parts of the Talasea District and Kimbe, worsened by hot weather and lack of rain. While the affected area is the whole of West New Britain Province (WNBP), the worst hit areas are Talasea, Kimbe Urban, and Nakanai East and West.
"Weeks now, almost two months, people have been burning bushes. Because of the hot season, everything is brown, the grasses are dry, many trees are dry," Fr. Evance said.
He explained that in many villages, bushfires are started by negligence - children playing with matches and lighters, adults throwing cigarette butts in dry grass, and people clearing land without controlling the fire.
"Some children are just happy to see dry grass lighting up. Someone smokes and throws the cigarette somewhere. Knowing that the grass is dry, it will obviously catch fire," he said.
A Smoky Sky, A Health Risk
The result, according to the Friar, is visible everywhere. The sky over Kimbe is covered in a thick, fog-like haze.
"If you are near the sea, you cannot even see the sea. You just see cloudy, like fog, but it's not fog - it's smoke from many places," he said.
Oil palm blocks, coconut plantations and forest areas have been affected across WNBP. The smoke has led to air pollution, with residents inhaling it daily.
"Everywhere you see smoke. It is going to affect our health," Fr. Evance warned.
The situation has been ongoing since August. Strong, sudden winds, often at night around 8pm to 9pm, are fanning the flames and making fires uncontrollable. Several houses have been completely burnt, leaving families without food and shelter. With creeks drying up, communities are struggling to put out fires, resorting to using soil and banana leaves.
"There is no water itself, all our creeks are dry. We just use soil to try to control fire, but it's very difficult, especially when there is strong wind. It fires in every angle," he said.
The government is now trying to supply food relief to affected families in the area.
More Than a Natural Phenomenon
Fr. Evance said while some describe the haze as a natural phenomenon, similar to a volcanic eruption covering the mountains and sun, it is largely man-made.
"It's not a natural calamity, it's a man-made calamity. A lot of places, people are not serious about controlling fire. The fire has been caused by someone who was negligent," he said.
He also noted the social impact. Accusations over who started fires in oil palm blocks are causing divisions and conflict within communities, with tragic consequences.
A Franciscan Call for Care of Creation
Coming from the Season of Creation, the Friar is making a Franciscan appeal for consciousness and precaution.
"Please be mindful. The grass is dry. We don't have rain and it can easily catch fire. A small fire with a strong wind can burn the whole village or your own house."
He is calling on parents to watch their children, and on all residents to be careful when handling lighters, matches and cigarettes.
"This is a time to sensitize the public. We are in a dry season and bushfires start easily in dry season. Let's try to pass a Franciscan message - to care for creation by being responsible," Fr. Evance said.
The community continues to work together to respond whenever a fire starts, but prevention, he says, is the best protection.
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