The Ashanti region has recorded 1,040 fire cases since the beginning of 2024, representing a 12 per cent increase.

The region recorded 928 cases last year.

Regional Fire Commander, Peter Tetteh, attributes the increase in fire cases to climate change, people's carelessness, ignorance, and recalcitrants to fire safety.

"If you check the causes of these fire cases, it could be something they could have prevented, so we encourage people to prevent fires rather than managing them," he noted.

The regional commander laid emphasis on intensifying their campaign in this dry season. Measures include education on loading sockets, installing fire extinguishers and their uses, and installing smoke detectors to help combat fire.

Speaking to JoyNews, Mr. Tetteh also described bushfires as a major menace that disturbs the nation because it affects vegetation, plants, and animal species, which deepens the poverty levels of people, especially farmers.

"We have trained volunteers and dispatched them to the remote areas in the region to prevent and manage undesired fires. We will continue to motivate them in whatever they do to ensure that the dry season is well managed," he stated.

ACFO2 Peter Tetteh further advised the public to desist from attacking fire officers in their line of duty.

"They need to understand that fire service is there for you, and therefore when you are in need and you call on us, we come. Mostly, what people don't understand is that they think the fire service is closer to them, but the fire service is not too close to them.

"They should understand that if one fire tender is out of commission, they call on any nearby fire tender to support. Fire service does not cause the fire outbreak, so reasonably, why should you attack us," he queried.

He urged the public to welcome firefighters to manage the situation on the ground rather than attacking them.