Mogale City Fire Danger Index drops as district lifts open fire ban
Recent rainfall in the Mogale district has brought relief to local fire services, allowing emergency officials to lift a dry-season open fire ban — though strict municipal bylaws remain active for residents.
Mogale Fire and Rescue lifted the district’s open fire ban on October 7 following recent rainfall.
Station Officer Jaco van der Westhuizen explained that emergency services implemented the district-wide ban during late August and early September due to high risk caused by dry and windy conditions.
Emergency services use the Fire Danger Index (FDI) to calculate risk. Van der Westhuizen said recent rain brought FDI conditions to favourable levels, allowing the ban to be lifted until further notice.
Bylaws still apply
He reminded residents that municipal bylaws still apply when making open fires.
“You cannot make a fire which poses a danger to property and burn materials bigger than a cubic metre in the open air outside 10:00 and 16:00 without the permission of the fire department,” said Van der Westhuizen. “If you do, you could be liable for a fine or even imprisonment.”
