Communities urged to play their part in fire prevention

The weather forecasts are crucial in wildland firefighting as the management of the Working on Fire (WOF)-Kishugu Joint Venture in Gauteng recently participated in the WeatherSMART community awareness programme.

Community fire awareness officer Lerato Mokwena delivered a presentation on fire safety in weather forecasts. She said it was an opportunity to educate and engage community members on creating defensible space in their properties and the effects of climate change.

‘‘The dramatic temperature increases result in extreme weather patterns such as intensity, frequency, and spread in areas not previously threatened by wildfires. Our programme teams are key in tackling such fire incidents. They also use the Fire Danger Index when they do the burnings,’’ she said.

Mokwena further said that the South Africa Weather Service correctly complements the work of the Working on Fire firefighters, especially with daily forecasts and alert warnings. She said the awareness programme sought to promote preparedness in severe weather like fire storms among fire-prone communities.

‘‘Collaborating with the South African Weather Service is important to get our communities to be fire safe. It was also good that firefighters got to understand weather forecasts, identify different weather types and interpret weather warnings. This is crucial during the burning periods,’’ she emphasised.

She said WOF is vital in mitigating fire disasters in the country as spelled out in the Integrated Fire Management action.