Agri Ministry planning month end fire, drought solutions meeting

Agriculture minister, Derrick Kellier says a meeting is to be held at the end of the month to brainstorm solutions for fighting fires which have become a frequent feature of the dry season.

He made the announcement as he gave a report to the House of Representatives on the response to the current fire raging the hills of East rural St. Andrew.

Kellier said various agencies are doing all they can to fight the current fire but was unable to give a timeline for extinguishing the blaze.

However, opposition Member of Parliament, JC Hutchinson, questioned how the Government would ensure it can fight these fires which have become frequent occurrences at this time of the year.

Mr. Kellier conceded that there needed to be a long-term plan:

This morning the Jamaica Fire Brigade said the fire had been contained in the Tower Hill, Lyme Tree area and in Pine Grove near Craig Head.