Calm weather welcome as firefighting continues in Richards Bay

Calm weather conditions in Richards Bay have been welcomed this Friday morning as firefighting efforts at the woodchip mill enter day seven.

NCT GM Danny Knoesen says the longer these calmer weather conditions last, the sooner they can get the fire under control and rid the area of smoke once and for all.

ALSO READ: Remain indoors as far as possible, to reduce exposure to smoke

“It is a cooler, overcast day with a southwesterly wind blowing. These conditions facilitate concentrated firefighting efforts to cool down the chip piles and contain the fire,” said Knoesen.

“The intensity of the wood chip fires is starting to dissipate and the relentless firefighting efforts are starting to show significant progress.

“Access to the piles is vastly improved, even allowing excavators to start to break down the piles in a controlled manner. The closer one can get, the more effectively water and retardants can be directed onto hot spots.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Arboretum exempt from load-shedding amid ongoing woodchip fire battle

On the downside, the current wind direction is blowing vast quantities of wood smoke towards the suburb of Arboretum.

“Residents should take reasonable precautions while the smoke persists. Remain indoors if the smoke makes you uncomfortable.

“Fortunately, NCT’s woodchip operations do not involve any toxic chemical elements, so the smoke remains wood smoke only.

“The fire retardants/suppressants being used to douse the fire are also by nature of their application in firefighting, non-toxic,” said Knoesen.

Earlier in the week, Zululand fire protection officer and co-ordinator of the air strikes, Tony Roberts allayed any fears of toxic components to the fire retardants, saying what is being used with the water is more like soap.

“You can put your hands on it, and it doesn’t cause irritation,” said Roberts.

“Spraying these products onto a fire, supresses it and stops it from getting up in a hurry. If you spray a large amount of it onto wood chips, the fire doesn’t manifest.”

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