Dry and hot conditions wreak havoc for Working on Fire teams
120 hectares were destroyed in a recent fire in Melkrivier
POLOKWANE – The Department of Environmental Affairs’ Working on Fire (WOF) team’s standby strategy saved the community of Melkrivier from being swept out by a raging wildfires in the area over the weekend. This is according to the spokesperson for the department Matema Fwangwa.
You might also want to read: [PHOTO’S] Working on Fire prepare for 2018 winter fire season
“Upon receiving a high Fire Danger Index (FDI) for the province, WOF decided to put all provincial resources on standby to ensure quick response when the wildfire broke out. This proved to be one of the best decisions we could have made,” Matema said.
On Friday afternoon, 14 September, the WOF Leseding team was dispatched for the suppression of a wildfire threatening the Melkrivier community.
Only 120 hectares of grass vegetation was destroyed and neither properties nor lives were lost during the fire thanks to the WOF firefighters and the Modimolle Fire Protection Association for joining forces and saving lives.
“As we are in the peak of fire season, dry vegetation and warm temperatures have led to our teams being on standby to ensure quick response to affected communities. We have responded to more than 23 fires across the province in the last week and Waterberg is the area we are monitoring closely,” Matema said.
WOF has also deployed a chopper and spotter to assist ground resources in the Waterberg District as more wildfires are expected.
