Do not let fire season catch you unaware
Runaway fires in SA cause huge financial losses.
The Working on Fires-Kishugu Joint Venture (WOF-Kishingu JV ) has shared tips to prevent and curb runaway fires during the fire season.
WOF-Kishingu JV joins forces with local communities and landowners to prepare for the fire season.
Fires pose significant threats to people, animals and properties, and one must take steps to prevent major losses if possible.
According to WOF-Kishugu JV, during the 2023 season, more than R1b in damage to crops and livestock happened in various provinces in SA.
Some safety tips to prevent damages and losses are:
• Create defensible space: clear the vegetation and combustible materials around your home to create a buffer zone that reduces the risk of a fire spreading.
• Farmers and landowners are urged to do fire breaks around their farms with the help of the local authorities (fire protection associations, public safety departments).
• Develop an evacuation plan: establish evacuation routes and communication protocols with family members, neighbours, and local authorities to ensure swift and co-ordinated action in the event of a fire.
• Stay informed: monitor weather forecasts, fire danger ratings, and emergency alerts to stay abreast of changing conditions and evacuation orders.
• Practice prevention: adhere to fire restrictions and exercise caution when using open flames, equipment, or machinery outdoors. Dispose of cigarette butts and other flammable materials responsibly.
• Prepare emergency supplies: assemble a comprehensive emergency kit containing essential supplies such as water, food, a first aid kit, and vital documents to sustain you and your family during the evacuation.
‘‘By adopting proactive measures and fostering a culture of preparedness, we can collectively mitigate the devastating impact of wildfires on our communities and environment. Climate change exacerbates rising temperatures, leading to extreme weather patterns such as heat waves and droughts, which increase the intensity, frequency, and spread of wildfires, even in previously unaffected areas,” said Parapara Makgahlela, the WOF provincial communications officer.
