MBOMBELA  – A period of extreme fire hazard due to extremely hot, dry and windy weather conditions has been declared.

Fires are currently wreaking havoc all over the Lowveld, with hundreds of hectares of grazing and plantations burnt to the ground – destroying everything in its path.

A big part of the Kruger National Park is up in flames. According to Mr Martin Bolton, provincial manager of Working on Fire, all guest houses are secured and is not in danger at the moment, but he still urges landowners to sleep with one eye open and immediately notify authorities if fires occur.

“Although we have put out a number of fire, it continues to spread,” says Bolton. Firefighters were called into an emergency meeting earlier today to strategise in order to get the fire under control.

“We are sending out a ground team tonight to keep trying to get the fire under control, ” says Bolton.

One spotter aircraft is currently assessing the situation while numerous aircraft are trying get the fires under control, “but it is not enough,” says Bolton. “Current weather conditions are very conducive to runaway fires.”

“Not one fire can be singled out as they are all equally dangerous,” Bolton warns. He says that the situation is so dire at this stage, that firefighters are having limited visibility while in the air in the whole of Mpumalanga.

It is anticipated that more aircraft will be deployed shortly.  Bolton pleaded with all motorists that when smoke surrounds any freeway, the road users must reduce speed, switch on hazard lights, and close the windows to prevent smoke inhalation.

The above conditions entails that no person shall, until further notice make a fire in the open air, unless:

• Fires are made within a demarcated picnic or camping area, caravan park or holiday resort.

• Such fires are properly extinguished with water and/or sand.

• Fires are used for the preparation of food on residential stands.

• Fires are made on residential and industrial stands in proclaimed townships.

• Fires made for initiation-school purposes, but only at places which have been specially prepared for that purpose.

• A person who is found guilty of these offences will be subject to a minimum fine of R5 000.