Edenvale SPCA is concerned about the number of veld fires which recently occurred on land surrounding the organisation.
In just over a month, three fires broke out on the surrounding land, with the most recent on July 31.
“We were just sitting in the office when we received a message from our chairperson about the fire. All of a sudden we could smell the smoke and hear the fire,” said the manager of the Edenvale SPCA, Marita Acar.
In just a few moments, the smoke was billowing into the SPCA’s building and kennels.
Inspector Jade Nel said the fire appeared to be on the municipal property behind the SPCA and was burning in the direction of Harris Road.
“The smoke was our biggest concern. It was suffocating and was blown into the kennels,” said Nel.
“We started grabbing puppies and dogs and placed them in water baths to get them away from the smoke.”
Nel said she started phoning neighbouring SPCA branches and Edenvale vets to be on standby to house and treat animals.
Luckily, none of the animals were injured.
Nel said firefighters arrived about 40 minutes after being alerted.
“I was informed that firefighters from Edenvale were assisting with a fire in another area before the one in Edenvale started.”
Marita said since the fires, the SPCA is working on an emergency plan.
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She hopes to raise concerns about the fires at the SPCA’s next regional meeting.
“In a way, I am grateful that the area behind us was burnt because now we don’t need to worry about fires in those areas,” said Acar.
City of Ekurhuleni’s Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) spokesperson William Ntladi said the department is investigating the matter.
“Dry vegetation experienced during wintertime is a potential hazard to starting the fire,” said Ntladi.
Some reasons a veld fire occurs is because of arson, lightning strikes, or when smouldering cigarette butts or sparks make contact with dry vegetation.
“Fire prevention shouldn’t be a difficult phenomenon, the simplest thing can help save lives and properties.”
As per the City of Ekurhuleni Emergency Services by-laws, Environmental Management Act 1989 (Act 73 of 1979) and Veld and Forest Fire Act 1989 (Act 101 of 1998), the following needs to be adhered to:
• No person may make an open, uncontrollable or unattended fire.
• Fires should not pose a real or potentially real threat to humans, animals, buildings, premises or other property.
• Necessary precautions and measures must be taken before a fire is made.
Ntladi said no person may without any written authority of the chief fire officer burn any refuse, wood, straw or other combustible material unless the refuse materials are burnt inside an approved purpose-made incinerator.
“Smokers, in general, have the common practice of throwing lit cigarette butts anywhere without taking safety into consideration,” said Ntladi.
DEMS urged residents to be vigilant in the prevention of veld fires as they have a potential of massive destruction to properties and loss of lives.
“During this time of the year, which is windy season, veld fires have the potential of becoming runaway fires.”
