AFTER a disastrous fire season in 2014, the government-funded and job-creation programme ‘Working on Fire’ (WoF) has already started its preparations for the upcoming season.
Last year was one of the worst fire seasons in seven years with the organisation suppressing 520 fires.
The most affected areas were eShowe, Mbazwana and Qhudeni in Zululand and Kokstad in southern KZN.
WoF Assistant General Manager Winnie Ndlovu said, ‘The province will conduct a yellow card training camp to refresh the physical fitness of fire fighters and to ensure that the province is ready to fight veld fires.’
The province is currently recruiting fire fighters to ensure that all teams are at full strength.
WoF has 751 fire fighters at 31 bases in the province.
‘The programme will continue to work with the communities and stakeholders to ensure that the number of wild fires is limited this season,’ said Ndlovu.
