Heat and bush-fire warnings issued as summer temperatures climb across Jamaica

Jamaica is facing a hotter-than-usual summer, and authorities are warning that the conditions pose serious public health and fire risks as temperatures climb across the island.

Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton said the intense heat aligns with climate-change effects. While heat-related deaths have been reported in other countries, none have been recorded in Jamaica so far. He urged older people and those with chronic illness to stay out of direct sun and to hydrate properly, noting that alcohol, energy drinks and sugary beverages do not hydrate the body well.

Meteorologist Javoy Sawyers said above-average sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic, together with more frequent Saharan dust incursions, are driving warmer days and nights. Overnight lows that usually fall to about 22–24 degrees Celsius are now reaching 26–28 degrees in some areas. Medical doctor Lucian Jones warned that extreme heat can cause serious illness, including fatal heat stroke, and advised keeping children indoors during peak hours when possible.

Meanwhile, the Jamaica Fire Brigade says bush fires have increased sharply in recent weeks. Acting Assistant Commissioner Roland Walters, who oversees Area 2 covering Trelawny, St Ann, St Mary and Portland, said divisions can respond to up to ten bush fires daily. Firefighters recently tackled separate blazes in St James and Trelawny that left residents homeless and damaged businesses. Walters urged the public not to overload electrical circuits, to avoid slash-and-burn farming, and to keep matches away from children.

In other news, the Tourism Enhancement Fund received nearly 17,000 applications for just 1,000 paid summer internship places this year. Executive Director Kerry Wallace said the agency is developing new pathways for unsuccessful applicants, including a proposed volunteer internship programme in 2027 with certification, plus partnerships to help young people obtain tax registration numbers, bank accounts and skills training through HEART/NSTA Trust and other bodies.

Montego Bay physician Dr Meana Mapuru is among the first doctors in Jamaica to earn a postgraduate qualification in artificial intelligence in medicine. She aims to use the training to improve patient care and modernise hospital systems, including an AI tool that translates complex medical reports into plain language. She hopes to return permanently to strengthen local healthcare.

In sport, Switzerland eliminated Colombia 4–3 on penalties to set up a World Cup quarterfinal against Argentina, who came from two goals down to beat Egypt 3–2. Upcoming last-eight fixtures include France versus Morocco, Spain versus Belgium on Friday, July 10, and Norway versus England alongside Argentina versus Switzerland on Saturday.

Cyber safety advocate Emma Sharp Dalton Brown, founder of Cyberbrite, also warned parents about online grooming, citing the case of Alexander McCartney, who was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 20 years after evidence showed he targeted thousands of children across dozens of countries.