8 Aug 2011

Tuilaepa asks chiefs to speak out on fires hitting Savai'i

10:17 am on 8 August 2011

Samoa's Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, says he is angry that fires are still occurring on Savai'i Island.

On his weekly programme on national radio station 2AP, Tuilaepa said there should not be any more fire outbreaks in Savai'i especially during this extremely dry period.

The fire service has fought eight major fires on Savai'i since July 1st, six of them on the northwest part of the island that's despite a fire ban enforced on the island.

The main fires started from residents clearing land.

Tuilaepa said chiefs and orators need to step in and stop the foolish behaviour of lighting fires because nothing is stronger than the authority of village chiefs and orators.

Tuilaepa are firefighters are likely to get hurt one day fighting such fires.

More firemen and an extra fire engine were ferried in from Apia recently to give firemen in Savai'i a rest as hot spots keep flaring up in forested areas.