High temperatures and winds fuel two fires near the Voorspoed plantation
WOF's Provincial Communications Officer, Matema Gwangwa says one of the fires is obstructing the view of motorists and pedestrians as it is burning near the main road of the plantation
POLOKWANE – Following a massive “Code Orange” fire in the Modimolle-Middelfontein area in last week, firefighters from the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries’ Working on Fire Program (WOF) are working hard around the clock to put out a raging wildfire at the Voorspoed plantation.
Read more:Â [WATCH] Plumes of smoke seen from raging Bela Bela fire
In a statement released, Gwangwa says WOF Soekmekaar firefighters were dispatched on Monday, 7 October 2019 to the Voorspoed plantation under the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) to suppress a raging fire that was destroying the plantation. “The fire is still burning and the cause is not yet known,” she said.
WOF Molemole firefighters were also dispatched to assist the Soekmekaar team with another fire that started this morning. Gwangwa says the second fire is obstructing the view of motorists and pedestrians as it is burning near the main road close to the plantation.
“Our firefighters are working very hard battling the heatwave as well as heat from flames, trying to save lives and protect the environment. Our strategy is to put out both fires before they reach the residential area. We are therefore pleading with residents and people from Sekgosese, Soekmekaar, Voorspoed and surrounding villages to be vigilant and cautious when driving through the affected area,” she added.
Gwangwa says another element that hinders firefighters productivity is change in climate and weather patterns. “The wind keeps changing direction and the temperature is very high, however, our firefighters have been trained and skilled to endure such obstacles while on the fireline,” she said.
Since the beginning of the 2019 winter fire season, WOF has responded to 88 fires with 5 000 ha lost.
