POLOKWANE – Spokesperson for Working on Fire Ofentse Letswalo said firefighters has thus far responded to a total of 53 fires which damaged 417 hectares of vegetation in various parts of the province.
Letswalo credited their firefighters for ensuring that properties and open lands are not engulfed by the fires.
“The teams have been working tirelessly in suppressing fires across the province to save lives and to protect the environment. They are well equipped and ready as they have always been to tackle the fires.”
He also added that they have employed a total number of 571 firefighters who successfully completed the Yellow Card Training who will deal with fires in various parts of the province during the fire season. The winter fire season officially started in June and is expected to run until the end of October. This year’s fire season is expected to be the busiest compared to the previous ones, keeping the teams on their toes. This is due to the continuous climate change and the heavy winds experienced in some parts of the province.”
He pointed out that they are ready to deal with any eventualities.
“We started preparing for the season in May. The firefighters began their assessment and they were assessed in specialised firefighting techniques, which included the firebreak.
“They were also tested on the WoF standard fitness test which includes a 2,4km run, push-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups in a specific timeframe. The WoF teams passed through the firewall. This is an exercise where firefighters run through the flames demonstrating the strengths of their Personal Protective Clothing (PPC) and to do away with the fear of the fire and to enable them to withstand the smoke and the heat,” Letswalo said.
He pleaded with the community to continue educating their children about the dangers and effects of fires.
“The public must avoid disposing cigarette buds in open areas, and refrain from starting fires in open areas, as that might lead to the cause of the runaway fires and to avoid any other activities that will contribute to unwanted fires.”
