The Editor, Sir:

I am concerned about the many fires being lit to burn rubbish in Kingston. A quick drive up any hill with a view of the city will show numerous smoke trails from fires. This is extremely unhealthy for us. I call it "poisoning the air". I have neighbours that keep lighting fires in their backyard, some leaving it smouldering all night.

For those who have asthma, I can tell you it's a nightmare, for those who don't, it's tormenting just the same. In these hot times, to have to lock up in your house to avoid the smoke and suffer the heat is unbearable. Not everyone has air conditioning, and those who have, can't afford to use it all the time.

Public education on the harmful effects on humans exposed to toxic smoke needs to be done, and continuous violators/fire starters need to be prosecuted. In some countries, you will do prison time for lighting fires in residential areas.

Solutions: We could start with affected people reporting fires to the fire brigade who could come put out the fire and warn the person lighting it. If a neighbour complains, he/she will be ignored, but a person in authority would be taken more seriously. For second violations, we make a police report. This way we could all have cleaner air to breathe in the city.

I am, etc.,

LANNY DAVIDSON

single_father615@hotmail.com

Via Go-Jamaica