André Scheepers, the manager of the Lowveld Escarpment Fire Protection Association (Lefpa), conducted a meeting about fire protocol and fire break agreements Saturday, April 19. It was held at the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) with Lefpa members.
Several issues relating to burning operations within the association’s boundaries were discussed.
Points of interest included that within the boundaries of Lefpa and the Ehlanzeni District, no person shall from June 1 up to October 31 make a fire in the open air, or, if such a fire has been made, allow it to continue or add fuel to it.
“Fires for the preparation of food on residential stands and fires made on residential or industrial stands in proclaimed townships, but only at places that have been specially prepared and maintained for that purpose to prevent them from spreading, are also allowed,” said Scheepers.
Valuable information was shared by Scheepers with landowners from the Badfontein, Finsbury, Dullstroom, Potloodspruit and Lefpa escarpments.
The management of the Sterkspruit Nature Reserve and the Mount Anderson area also attended. Lefpa’s goal is to manage fire detection, prevention, suppression, and awareness. It is a member of the provincial Mpumalanga Umbrella Fire Protection Association.
It helps with dispatching crews, related firefighting training, the issuing of burning permits, and legal advice.
It also stated that within the boundaries of Lefpa and the Ehlanzeni District, no person shall destroy by burning slash originating from any timber plantation or self-sown exotic trees or alien invasive plants.
No person shall, during the time set out above, destroy by burning residue, cultivated crop fields and veld, clear or maintain a fire belt by burning, or execute block burns unless a burning permit has been obtained from Lefpa. In terms of Chapter 7 of the National Veld and Forest Fire Act, 101 of 1998, persons found guilty of offenses will be subject to a minimum fine of R5 000. To obtain burning permits, contact 0860 663 473.
