Wildland fires increasing and firefighters struggling to keep up with the numbers
Wildfires are increasing and the main cause is believed to be climate change. In Krugersdorp alone, 10 fires were fought and another 17 in Magaliesburg.
With the number of wildfires increasing and climate change escalating, firefighters are struggling to keep up with the demand.
Working On Fire (WoF)-Kishugu Joint Venture recently issued a statement where provincial communications officer Parapara Makgahlela revealed the difficulty they are currently experiencing with wildfires.
“Wildland fires continue to be a global threat and are intensified by the burning issue of climate change. Major fire incidents in the United States, Canada, South Africa and Europe are a testament to the existential threat of wildfires,” said Makgahlela.
Makgahlela added that the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) identifies global fire locations. In South Africa, a total of 10 800 VIIRS fire alerts were reported for 2024 according to the Global Forest Watch.
WoF, which employs many firefighters from both Krugersdorp and Randfontein, has around 5 000 active firefighters as well as an aerial and ground fleet, which is run by Kishugu Joint Venture, aimed at fighting fires nationwide. However, around 18 000 firefighters are still needed to handle the growing numbers of wildland fires.
According to Makgahlela, the Kishugu Joint Venture currently has 90 active firefighters in six bases across the West Rand. A total of at least 104 wildfires have been found. Since May, 37 fires have been fought by the firefighters in Randfontein. In Krugersdorp alone, 10 fires were fought and another 17 were fought in Magaliesburg. This amounted to around 4 353 hectares of grazing and grassland that were burned.
“As climate change accelerates, the number of wildland fires grows, demanding even more robust preparedness, resilience, and response measures from those on the frontlines. The message is clear – climate change is not a distant threat, it is an urgent, unfolding crisis, and it calls for immediate, unified action.”
The Kishugu Joint Venture was unable to fight more than 9 000 wildland fires across South Africa as climate change causes an increase in the intensity, frequency and spread of the fires.
Further, Makgahlela said climate change has resulted in recent firestorms, severe floods and heavy snowfall, particularly in part of KZN. Not only lives were lost, but people lost their livelihoods and entire communities were changed.
To help the firefighters in the work they do, Makgahlela advised the following:
“The community should report the wildfires to the local fire department. We urge landowners to be vigilant and exercise caution as the winter fire season is not over yet. The WoF-Kishugu Joint Venture implements integrated fire management to mitigate wildland fires in South Africa. These firefighters receive extensive training at Kishugu Training Academy in Nelspruit to be skilled in wildland firefighting.
“Our firefighters remain alert until the fire season is officially over,” Makgahlela assured the community.
