The fire started in clear-fell plantation on Thursday, October 6 in the Triangle region just outside Tzaneen and spread to plantations.
According to Tony Long, the damage wasn’t limited to Deerpark’s bush, but also between the hills of Modjadji and Politsi’s plantations.
‘It was bad. It’s one of the worst fires I’ve ever faced’, one firefighter expressed.
The exact size of the damage caused by the fire is yet to be confirmed, but it is estimated to be about 1 500ha was burnt down which was mostly plantation, indigenous bush and some Macadamias.
The Letaba Fire Protection Association said the magnitude of the fire caught them off-guard.
The fire was tackled by 3 helicopters, 2 spotters, around 500 firefighters and Five Working on Fire teams were called in to assist; Tzaneen, Polokwane, Sekororo A& B and Soekmekaar.
Even farmers from neighboring communities went to assist; Merensky, Westfalia, Kingsland Farming and Diggersrest to name but a few.
The community of Tzaneen overwhelmed the LFPA with donations, sponsoring everything from water to eye drops, cooked eggs, fresh fruit and lots of cold drinks.
By Saturday morning the fire was under control.
