TZANEEN – Tzaneen experienced a nightmare week of fires that started last week Tuesday fuelled by high temperatures and strong winds.

Rouan Snyman, head of the Letaba Fire Protection Association (LFPA) says it has been an extremely challenging week.

The LFPA has also extended the September to end of October restrictions on fires by two weeks due to the current weather conditions.

On Tuesday, October 29 the temperature rose to over 38°C with a fire danger index of 58 and north-westerly winds of 10-15km per hour.

Three fires posed a major danger and kept firefighters busy during the days that followed.

He says that around 11:00 a veld fire was reported in Mieliekloof in the Deer Park area which gained momentum from persisting strong winds, destroying vegetation.

It was only contained at 19:50.

During the afternoon the landfill site and a recycling plant, Protonka, also caught fire. By the time firefighters arrived a vehicle, equipment and the depot had already gone up in flames.

A small workshop area and some machines and equipment were saved.

A third fire at Rooikoppies in Magoebaskloof was also reported near the former Sapeko tea plantation.

Snyman told the Herald that they suspect that the landfill fire was caused by peanut growers.

He said to prepare a field before planting, dry grass and vegetation are burned. “We suspect that because of the strong wind, it might have spread from there.”

“The cause of the blaze at the tea plantation is unknown, but there are many possibilities,” he said.

On Monday, November 4, also during extremely high temperatures of up to 40°C and a strong north-easterly wind, another fire started in the Deer Park area on the way to Kgapane.

The fire was contained but on Tuesday morning it flared up again. Firefighters were able to control it. Snyman says from September to October LFPA fires are prohibited, but many do not adhere to it.

Due to the heatwave and low humidity, they have extended the period for another two weeks, until the weather conditions improve.

During this period the only people allowed to burn are those who have been granted permission for agricultural purposes only.

For more information on fires and to report any fire follow the LFPA on Facebook or call 076 844 1646.