A large out-of-control wildfire burning through forested areas in Commewijne, Suriname, has sent thick plumes of smoke reaching the town of Nieuw-Amsterdam, with officials warning the haze could continue spreading toward the capital city of Paramaribo.
The fire is currently raging near Belwaarde, at the former Plantage De Vries site, and has already impacted surrounding communities including the Suzannedaal district and the Ordonnanceweg area close to the local Military Project. Even populations living outside of the immediate fire zone are already reporting disruptive effects from the persistent smoke covering the region.
In response to the growing public health risk, Suriname’s Ministry of Public Health, Welfare and Labor has issued an urgent alert, calling on all residents in affected areas to minimize their exposure to the toxic wildfire haze. The ministry has released a series of actionable safety recommendations for at-risk communities:
Residents in smoke-covered areas are advised to keep all windows and exterior doors closed as much as possible to block out harmful particles. Vulnerable groups, particularly people living with asthma and other chronic respiratory conditions, are strongly urged to remain indoors wherever possible. To further prevent smoke from seeping into residential spaces, the ministry recommends sealing gaps under doors with damp cloths.
For residents who must travel outdoors through smoke-affected areas, officials recommend wearing a properly fitted N95 or KN95 respirator mask, which can significantly reduce inhalation of fine hazardous particles contained in wildfire smoke.
Health authorities warn that breathing wildfire smoke can trigger a range of adverse health symptoms, including eye and nasal irritation, persistent coughing, sneezing, skin itching, and shortness of breath. Any person experiencing these symptoms is advised to contact their general practitioner immediately, rather than waiting for symptoms to worsen.
As of the latest update, the Ministry of Public Health confirms it is in constant coordination with the National Coordination Center for Disaster Management (NCCR) to monitor the spread of the fire and smoke hour-by-hour. The public has been urged to remain alert and comply with all published health guidance. At this stage, no further details have been released regarding the total size of the burned area, the cause of the ignition, or an estimated timeline for bringing the blaze under full control.