Letaba firefighters battle second week of veld fires
The Letaba Fire Protection Association has banned all burning after firefighters spent days containing veld fires that threatened properties in Georges Valley and the Gladstone-Tarentaalrand area.
TZANEEN – Firefighters across the Letaba region battled veld fires for a second consecutive week as temperatures exceeding 40°C, strong winds and a high fire danger index (FDI) fuelled blazes in Georges Valley and the Gladstone-Tarantaalrand area.
According to the Letaba Fire Protection Association (LFPA), firefighting teams, forestry crews and emergency services were deployed on Thursday, October 22, as fires threatened properties and structures.
Georges Valley blaze contained
A fire near the top of George’s Valley required additional ground crews and aerial support from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to prevent it from spreading. Firefighters eventually contained the blaze and continued mop-up operations to extinguish remaining hotspots. The fire was completely extinguished in the early hours of Friday, October 23.
The LFPA thanked the DFFE, incident commander Ferdinand van Loggenberg and all firefighters involved. The association has since renewed its warnings as dangerous fire conditions persist across the region.
Properties threatened in Gladstone-Tarentaalrand
Meanwhile, another fire in the Gladstone-Tarentaalrand area kept emergency crews occupied for about eight hours in extreme heat.
The LFPA skid unit and firefighting team, Mopani District Municipality Fire Brigade and other local teams responded, with additional resources deployed as the blaze intensified.
The fire spread to neighbouring properties, threatening several structures. Firefighters managed to protect the buildings before conducting mop-up operations and standing down.
The LFPA thanked firefighters, landowners and others who assisted under difficult conditions.
Burning ban remains in force
On Monday, October 26, the association announced that controlled burning would be assessed daily according to weather and fire danger conditions, while pine slash and pine harvest burns remained prohibited.
However, on Tuesday, October 27, the LFPA banned all burning and suspended the issuing and approval of special burning permits due to the high fire danger index.
Residents were urged to avoid open fires and activities that could cause sparks near dry vegetation. The association also advised people to stay hydrated, wear hats, and limit exposure to the midday heat.
