EDITOR – On Wednesday, June 25, a grass fire swept through a big part of the Illiondale wetland.
Some parts were still burning after 6pm.
One of the security guards in a nearby complex said the fire apparently started at about 2pm.
The week before, some other parts of the wetland and Heartland Property also burnt.
This caused thick smoke and ash in the air for several days and nights.
Last year the area did not burn after the grass was cut and removed.
The grass was also cut this year but still caught fire and burnt right up to the walls of the houses.
There is a lot of vegetation next to the walls that can catch fire and cause serious damage to houses.
The complex has a boundary of a couple of meters where the grass is always cut short where a fire cannot burn but sparks can still ignite thatches and so on.
These fires are not controlled and seem to be set deliberately.
Setting of fires is definitely against council policy and is, in fact, arson.
Damage to property can easily occur and the air quality is poor from the smoke for days after such a fire.
It also damages trees in the wetland and the ash blows everywhere.
The area looks terrible and there seems to be no benefit to anyone in burning the grass.
Whoever is setting these fires is irresponsible and reckless.
A.POLLHAMMER
EDENVALE
r Letter received June 30
EDITOR’S COMMENT – The letter was sent to the spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Emergency Services (EES), Mr William Ntladi, for comment on July 1.
Comment was requested by 10am on July 4.
At the time of going to print, no comment was received.
