More firefighters needed to fight fires

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.

Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) helps identify global fire locations in near-real time. VIIRS brings accurate data on fires occurring around the globe.

A dramatic temperature increase results in extreme weather patterns such as heat waves, prolonged droughts, increased intensity, frequency, and spread to areas not previously threatened by wildland fires.

In South Africa, there have been 10 800 VIIRS fire alerts reported so far in 2024 (considering high confidence alerts only), according to Global Forest Watch. The most fires were recorded in 2023 with 18 944.

The Working on Fire (WOF) programme has an estimated 5 000 active firefighters and an extensive aerial and ground fleet run by the WOF-Kishugu joint venture to battle infernos nationally. WOF management, supported by various research and forecast models, has hinted that South Africa needs an estimated 18 000 firefighters to deal with the escalation of wildland fires.

‘‘South Africa has not escaped the impact of climate change-induced wildland fires. The intertwining of climate change and wildland fire risks demands swift action,’’ said Trevor Abrahams, MD for WOF.

There are more than 9 000 wildland fires that WOF-Kishugu teams did not fight as climate change exacerbates the intensity, frequency, and spread of fires.

Climate change has recently unleashed its devastating effects, manifesting in deadly firestorms, severe floods, and unprecedented heavy snowfall, particularly in parts of KwaZulu-Natal. These events have not only claimed lives but have also left a trail of destruction, wiping out livelihoods and reshaping entire communities.

In the face of these challenges, WOF-Kishugu has been at the forefront of the battle, responding to an overwhelming 17 833 fires between 2016 and September 30.

This staggering number, which translates to more than 2 000 fires annually on a national scale, is a clear indicator of a troubling trend – the frequency and intensity of fires are steadily rising.

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.