Communities urged to report unwanted fires ASAP
Community members are urged to be vigilant and to report any signs of an unattended fire to the local authorities.
Working on Fire (WOF-Kishugu) reported a whopping 19 fires over the weekend.
A total of 269 wildland firefighters, one spotter plane, one Huey and two pilots were dispatched to fight these fires. Nkandla, Ulundi, Eshowe, Vryheid, Royal Natal and Underberg were among the teams that assisted.
The WOF-Kishugu Joint Venture in KwaZulu-Natal has been attending to unwanted fires since the beginning of the year. The programme specialises in integrated fire management and remains committed to saving lives and protecting the environment by collaborating with landowners to reduce the risk and impact of wildfires.
General manager Stephen Boyes said, “We have been busy preparing for the winter fire season since the beginning of the year through integrated fire management activities. We completed the annual assessment training at 41 bases; this ensures the safety of both firefighters and the community members we assist. Our teams also do various fuel load reduction activities such as block burns, fire breaks, slashing and alien invasive clearing with partners and landowners.”
It was a busy weekend indeed, with unfavourable weather conditions across KZN and teams tackling lots of runaway fires. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a veld fire warning, with the province’s Fire Danger Index on yellow and orange, indicating windy conditions with gusts greater than 65km/h, as well as dry and warm-to-hot conditions.
A total of 41 teams remain on high alert, as the Fire Danger Index is still extremely high and dangerous. Community members are urged to be vigilant and to report any signs of an unattended fire to the local authorities.
Boyes added that there have been teams responding to more than one fire on a particular day.
“We are on standby to assist landowners, as SAWS has forecast a high Fire Danger Index for the next three days in KZN. No fires are to be started at all and we encourage working together with neighbouring landowners to ensure that we all remain safe this winter fire season,” said Boyes.
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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.
