By Idowu Adebomi, Ado-Ekiti
With the dry, dusty Harmattan winds sweeping across the state, the Ekiti government has issued a fresh warning against indiscriminate bush burning and other fire-prone practices.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, told reporters in Ado-Ekiti that the season’s “extremely dry and dusty winds enable fires to spread rapidly with minimal ignition,” making fire outbreaks one of the most common disasters during this period.
He listed risky behaviours that heighten the danger: bush burning, careless disposal of lit cigarette butts, smoking near volatile chemicals, and the misuse of candles, matches or other open-flame devices. Kitchen negligence – such as unattended cooking or placing flammable items near heat sources – also remains a leading cause of fire incidents.
“Creating defensible space around homes helps slow or stop the spread of wildfire and protects properties from direct flame contact and radiant heat,” Olatunbosun said, stressing the importance of vegetation management as a fire-mitigation strategy.
The administration highlighted several interventions aimed at bolstering fire safety, including the rehabilitation of solar-powered boreholes at the seven fire stations in Ado, Ikere, Ido, Ijero, Aramoko, Ikole and Omuo-Ekiti, the purchase of fire-fighting engines and equipment, and the opening of an ultramodern fire service station at the new Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport equipped with two advanced trucks.
Residents are urged to switch off and unplug electrical appliances before leaving homes or offices, keep flammable materials away from ignition sources, and avoid parking recently driven vehicles on dry grass. The warning also extends to the use of firecrackers and fireworks during festive periods, which can trigger panic, injuries and property damage.
For immediate assistance, residents can contact the Ado Fire Service Headquarters at 07069582302 or 08035785164. Those in Ido can reach the Ido Fire Station on 08037204032, while Omuo Fire Station is available at 08069090729. Ikole Fire Station can be reached at 08062774145, and Ikere Fire Station is on 08038476483. Aramoko Fire Station is available at 07060469992, and Ijero Fire Station can be contacted on 08035265726. For broader coverage, the Federal Fire Service (State Command) can be reached at 08039637328 or 08026584719.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to keeping Ekiti among Nigeria’s safest states, urging all stakeholders – government officials, traders, business owners and corporate organisations – to strictly adhere to fire-prevention measures.
Earlier this year, environmental officials in Ikole-Ekiti also warned that bush burning during the Harmattan can endanger lives and property, urging residents to monitor any fire they start.
