Raging wild fires kill animals, destroy land and properties
A veldfire fighter died while raging wild fires in Limpopo destroyed more than 70 000 hectares of land, one farmhouse, three houses, three vehicles and two lodges over the weekend.
LIMPOPO – A veldfire fighter died while raging wild fires in Limpopo destroyed more than 70 000 hectares of land, one farmhouse, three houses, three vehicles and two lodges over the weekend.
At the same time wild and domestic animals have also been lost to the flames, read a media statement by Linton Rensburg, national communications manager of Working on Fire (WoF).
A total of 260 WoF veldfire fighters, air support, fire trucks and bakkie sakkies were deployed to more than 20 fires in different areas of the Waterberg, Rensburg reported.
A major bush-fire flared up at several places in the Waterberg region last Thursday after the veld was struck by lightning.
According to Steven Vermaak, chairperson of the Fire Protection Association (FPA), about 7 000 hectares of veld in the Doorndraai dam and Entabeni area were immersed in ruins by these fires.
Mark Weyford, vise-president of the FPA and base manager of WoF in Mokopane, told Bosveld they fought the flames in these mountainous terrain until 02:00 on Saturday morning.
2 500 ha of Entabeni’s Safari Conservancy’s,Wildside Safari Camp destroyed
The fire raged on until Saturday morning, spreading quickly and causing serious damage at Entabeni’s Safari Conservancy’s,Wildside Safari Camp, about 80 km outside of Mokopane.
The fire fighting teams finally managed to get the fire under control in the early hours, but only after a section of Wildside and about 2 500 ha of the 22 000 ha conservancy burned down.
Photos:Entabeni Safari Conservancy Facebook page
“The camp’s reception, lounge, bar-area as well as nine of their 20 thatched canvas rooms were engulfed by the blazing flames.
“We are grateful that none of the guests or staff members were injured in the fire and that none of Entabeni’s other lodges were affected. Luckily no antelope or any of the big five animals were injured in the bush-fire at Entabeni,” read a media statement by Michelle Bouic, Legend Hospitality’s group liaison and executive personal assisitant.
“We are grateful for the relentless efforts from our fire fighting teams to get the scorching flames under control, with the help from the surrounding farm communities, the Mogalakwena Fire Brigade and the members of WoF,” Bouic said.
Limpopo firefighter loses his life in veldfire
“WoF veldfire fighters who were deployed in a mountainous gorge area in Northam battled when heavy winds changed direction pushing the fire towards the WoF teams. “The veldfire fighters attempted to move out of the area, but unfortunately Modikwe Samuel Ramokgaba (35) fell and sustained burns. He was immediately airlifted to Bela-Bela Hospital for emergency treatment.
It is with great sadness we confirm the loss of our firefighter during #Limpopofires suppression. Heartfelt condolences to family & friends
— Working on Fire (@wo_fire) October 13, 2015
However, he succumbed to his injuries and died in hospital on Sunday evening. The Working on Fire Programme extends its thoughts and prayers to his loved ones.
“We will be providing the necessary support to his family and team members,” Rensburg added.
“It needs to rain for the red season to pass. The high wind, humidity and drought we are currently facing make it ten times harder to put out fires in this area,” Vermaak told Bosveld.
