Winter is the season of grass fires, and being unprepared can leave your house vulnerable to out of control flames.
This is why Benny Mohlabeng, Chief of the Randfontein Fire Department encourages local community members, especially those who live on plots or farms, to consider firebreaks.
Grass that has already been burnt cannot burn again. Firebreaks are strips of grass that are purposely set on fire and then extinguished to create a piece of burnt grass. These firebreaks are made around houses or crops to prevent a blazing fire from engulfing them.
“Although we encourage community members to make firebreaks, this should never be done without the supervision of the Fire Department,” Mohlabeng said. “Lighting a fire without the go-ahead of the Fire Department is still a crime punishable by law.” He went on to say that before the fire is even started, the persons wishing to burn the break must submit a request to the Fire Department.
The Department uses the Fire Detection Index to reveal suitable times for lighting a fire, by taking account of prevailing weather conditions. “The slightest wind can result in an uncontrollable fire,” Mohlabeng said.
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