City Power warns against veld fires around electricity infrastructure

City Power (CP) warns residents not to start fires close to the infrastructure supporting power.

With veld fires season in full swing, CP cautions residents of Johannesburg against contributing to sparking flames, particularly close to power line servitudes.

According to CP spokesperson Isaac Mangena, the actual fire could damage our infrastructure; the dense smoke underneath the transmission lines often creates conditions for the network to trip, leading to widespread outages.

“When there is a big fire producing thick smoke and hot gases close to a high voltage power line, it can create a path for electricity to jump through the air, which is called a ‘flashover.’ This increases the risk of damage to the network infrastructure. Although our transmission cables are insulated and separated, the gaseous smoke creates a conductive path, essentially causing those lines to touch,” Mangena said.

CP requests residents to report the incident to the fire department immediately and not attempt to extinguish the fire themselves, as this can pose significant risks to their safety and the surrounding environment. While veld fires are a natural phenomenon, in most cases, they are caused by human negligence.

“Additionally, between the high-voltage lines and the ground, there is a magnetic zone that allows the lines to trip in an event where there is movement, smoke, vegetation, or if the lines fall to the ground, posing a deadly risk to human lives. The system trips under such conditions as part of the safety mechanism,” he added.

CP emphasised that it’s a criminal offence and against the city bylaws to start the fires.

CP recommends the following tips to minimise the risk of veld fires:

• Avoid burning refuse or vegetation near power lines
• Dispose of cigarette butts and other flammable materials responsibly
• Clear dry vegetation and debris from around your property to create a firebreak
• Follow local fire safety regulations and guidelines when conducting controlled burns or outdoor activities