No burning – VKLM issues burning prohibitions for 2024
Within the boundaries of the Delmas Fire Protection Association and VKLM, no person shall from June 15, 2024, up to and including October 31, 2024, make a fire in the open air, or if such a fire have been made, allow it to continue to burn or add fuel thereto.
The Victor Khanye Local Municipality (VKLM) and Delmas Fire Protection Association issued notices of objection in terms of any burning operations in the municipal and/or association boundaries without a valid burning permit in terms of Section 25(3) of the National Veld and Forest Fire Act (Act 101) of 1998.
This notice was issued in terms of Section 1 and Section 18 of the Fire Brigade Services Act, Act 99 of 1987 and Chapter 7 of the National Veld and Forest Fire Act, Act 101 of 1998.
1. That, within the boundaries of the Delmas Fire Protection Association and VKLM, no person shall, from June 15, 2024, up to and including October 31, 2024, make a fire in the open air, or if such a fire has been made, allow it to continue to burn or add fuel thereto otherwise than:
a. Fires made within demarcated picnic, camping areas, caravan parks, or holiday resorts, but only at places within such an area which have been specifically prepared and maintained for that purpose provided that such fires are properly extinguished with water and/or sand;
b. Fires for the preparation of food on residential stands in purpose-made areas;
c. Fires made on residential and industrial stands in proclaimed townships (one must obtain written approval from the VKLM Fire Department in compliance with the municipal services by-laws);
d. Fires made for initiation school purposes, but only at places which have been specifically prepared and maintained for that purpose to prevent fires from spreading.
2. That, within the boundaries of Delmas Fire Protection Association and VKLM, no person shall from June 15, 2024, up to and including October 31, 2024, destroy by burning slash originating from any timber plantation or self-sown exotic trees or alien invasive plants.
3. That, within the boundaries of Delmas Fire Protection Association and VKLM, no person shall from June 15, 2024, up to and including October 31, 2024, destroy by burning residue, garden refuse, cultivated crop fields and veld, clear or maintain a fire belt by burning or execute block burns, unless burning permits were obtained from the Delmas Fire Protection Association.
4. In terms of Section 25 of the National Veld and Forest Fire Act (Act 101 of 1998), persons found guilty of offences will be subject to a minimum fine of R5 000.
5. Burning permits are subject to the Delmas Fire Protection Association’s rules and minimum requirements and any other relevant laws and/or by-laws within VKLM (MP311) and Nkangala District Municipality (DC31).
6. Delmas Fire Protection Association recommends all fire break burning be completed by July 31, 2024, if weather permits.
7. Burning permit applications can be obtained from www.vklmfire.co.za/d-fpa or requested from fire protection officer Frans Bolton on 083 377 3532.
The Burning Prohibitions Notice was issued on June 5 by VKLM Fire Protection officer Frans Bolton and signed and approved by municipal manager Thabo Mashabela.
