POLOKWANE – The Government Funded programe Working on Fire (WOF) Limpopo’s firefighters have been kept busy by wildfires that have occurred in various areas across the province. This is according to spokesperson, Matema Ngwangwa.
“The winter fire season officially started on the 1 June and will run until the end of October, however, that didn’t stop the breakout of the wildfires in May under Mogalakwena, Modimolle and Molemole Municipalities,” she added.
In May, WOF firefighters responded to seven different wildfires that occurred in various locations under different municipalities. For the month of June WOF has responded to 14 wildfires with the Molemole team being the busiest, having responded to eight of those fires in the Capricorn District Municipality.
“Our firefighters are working very hard this winter fire season as they are juggling educating the communities about the impact of fires and responding to wildfire calls where they save lives and protect the environment,” Matema said.
More than 600 WOF firefighters have been assessed and are ready to be dispatched across the country. WOF has also placed two teams on standby to assist in Mpumalanga during this winter fire season.
“We are pleading with communities to report all fires they see in their areas to their local fire brigade immediately and to refrain from starting fires in open areas, as that might lead to the cause of runaway fires. Our plea is also aimes at motorists who smoke, to refrain from throwing cigarettes stumps out of their vehicles while driving,” Matema concluded.
