After a complaint was received that a truck caught fire on Swartkoppies Road on August 6, it was discovered that there was no truck on fire and in fact it was a veld fire.
The natural habitat of birds and other living creatures was destroyed in and around the facility where the fire had spread.
The matter was escalated to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, who advises on the following key points:
The grass fire can be started in different ways and fires are attributed by the amount of rain over summer months.
During winter season, the grass becomes dry and can burn easily. Most of the common causes of grass fires are:
· Spontaneous combustion: fire starts without anyone directly igniting it. This is commonly due to adverse weather conditions such as high temperatures and how the wind blows. Broken glass bottles acting as magnifying lenses can also cause such ignitions.
· Smokers throwing smoldering cigarettes buds on the dry grass, both motorists or pedestrians.
· Deliberate actions of open flames.
· Children playing with matches in the open veld.
Mitigating strategies:
· It is the individual`s responsibility to be vigilant on the different causes of fire.
· Littering or discarding of glass or glass bottles in the veld needs to be prevented.
· Cigarette buds to be discarded in the correct manner at the right place.
· Keep matches away from the children.
· Cut the grass very low at all times.
· Create fire breaks so that grass fire cannot spread easily.
· Those with thatch roof houses and lapas, treat the thatch with fire retardants. This will prevent the spread of fire should it catch fire.
Call Emergency Services first and try extinguishing the fire afterwards.
“Together let`s save lives and properties by preventing fires.”
For public training and awareness, consult Emergency Planning sub-section on 011 999 5386.
In case of any grass fire eventualities, use water to extinguish the blazes.
For all fires occurring in your area within the City of Ekurhuleni, the direct contact line is 011 458 0911 or national toll free emergency number: 10177. Cell phone emergency number: 112
