WHILE welcome rain fell in large parts of Zululand over the weekend, the northern regions are still critically dry.
This does not auger well for the upcoming ‘fire season’ and a fire awareness campaign was launched by Expanded Public Works Programme, Working on Fire, on Friday last week at the Mbazwane Art Centre.
District and local municipalities, the Zululand Fire Protection Association, Forestry South Africa, Department of Forestry and Fisheries and the province’s Disaster Management team combined their efforts to re-iterate the need to prepare properly for the dry season.
With dam levels running on close to empty and the vegetation being very dry, the region is in for a shocker of a fire season.
Most fires by honey hunters
One of the region’s largest contributors to fires is the honey hunters who are responsible for the majority of fires.
This problem is being continuously addressed by all stakeholders to lower the incidence of fires caused by people raiding bee hives.
Leaving open fires and smoking are other causes highlighted by the speakers.
The overall message was that everyone has a role to play in preventing fires.
Representatives from the various organisations said fire is everybody’s responsibility and all need to support the fire prevention strategies, which are put in place.
Fire breaks, fire fighting equipment and the wise use of fire will go a long way to prevent fires.
Working on Fire also made house-to-house visits in the area to engage with the local communities and to advise them on fire preventative measures.
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