Business owners and educators in Vieux Fort are voicing their concerns following a series of recent bush fires that have affected operations, disrupted daily routines and raised ongoing health worries within the community.
Interviews with stakeholders reveal a mixture of frustration, resilience and concern, particularly as many say the problem has persisted for years.
Nathaniel Mathurin of Patos Bar described how the fires have directly affected his livelihood. “When customers are around and the bushfires start, they leave and I have no choice but to close down for the time,” he said.
Mathurin said the fires can ignite without warning at any time of the day. “I don’t know if it’s something that is naturally happening or people who are setting the fire,” he said.
Mathurin pointed out that the issue is not new. “That has been happening for the longest time, every year. About two years ago it was worse,” he said.
While he expressed uncertainty about whether a long-term solution exists, he believes development of the area could help. “I don’t think anything can be done about it. If the government could develop this place for recreational purposes there would be less fires as bush around the area will be reduced,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Mathurin commended the response of emergency personnel. “They have been going up and down this place when a fire is around and when they put it out, they are still coming back to ensure the fire is out. They are monitoring especially the residential areas where there is most danger,” he said.
The impact extends beyond business operations and into his home life. “Even my household gets affected. it’s bad to a point where I can’t even breathe because there is a point I would need to leave,” he explained. Offering advice to others, he urged residents to always “be prepared and take precaution when there is fire around to prevent any danger to their homes”.
At Plain View Combined School, Principal Roselinda Pultie said the situation has been manageable in recent times, though not without incident.
She noted that during her time at the school, the main issues come from smoke from nearby businesses rather than bushfires themselves.
“There is a barbecue place not too far from the school; this is where sometimes we get most of the smoke from, not bushfires as such,” she explained.
Pultie added that smoke from backyard fires in neighbouring homes has also tended to affect the school. She acknowledged that such incidents can cause concern among students, particularly those with asthma. The school responds by closing windows, encouraging the wearing of masks and the use of air conditioning units in classrooms. She noted that the effects of smoke during recent incidents have typically lasted for about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, Donna Antoine, owner of The Cocktail Hideout, described the persistent intrusion of smoke and ash into her home and business space. “Even if the house is closed it passes through the small spaces in the widow… the smell of the smoke and ash stays there for two days…,” she said.
Antoine recalled a recent close call involving laundry left outdoors. “The last time I opened the clothes on the line, I had to rush and remove it because a bush fire started… the smell would have stayed in it,” she explained. She also pointed to the physical aftermath of the fires, stating, “I have a pile of ash that I have to discard.”
Like Mathurin, Antoine expressed scepticism about the possibility of fully preventing the fires. “I don’t believe the government can do anything about it because sometimes people that are smoking can start the bush fires…. some people do it deliberately,” she said.
“I’d advise everyone to close their homes. If I leave my house open and leave, when I come back the house is filled with ash and smoke,” she added.
