MBOMBELA – If you haven’t started preparing for the fire season yet, it’s about time you do so.
The Lowveld and Escarpment Fire Protection Association (Lefpa) would like to warn communities throughout Mpumalanga to take extra care in preventing unwanted veld fires during the upcoming winter fire season.
It officially starts on June 1, but according to Mr André Scheepers, manager of Lefpa, conditions are already very dry and hot due to low rainfall this year.
Considering how busy firefighters were in Cape Town, preparations that should’ve already been done include:
• Checking that all equipment is in working condition
• Preparing roads bordering open areas and firebreaks that will be burned
• Matching your resourcing to the fire risks identified
• Obtaining rosters from your neighbour; training employees in fire management
• Obtain operating procedures related to high fire danger index (FDI)
• Implementing operational procedures to ensure quick response, should an emergency arise
• Check water points for adequate supply
• Attend FPA meetings regularly – the AGM will be on May 7.
May is the month to commence firebreak burning, including that around homesteads. However, Lefpa warns to take extreme care when burning slash. It is also very important to burn areas on the rotational burning programme.
It is important to implement the following:
• Get airstrips operational and ensure that all roads are either graded or slashed
• Ensure all fire-related training is complete and medical check-ups are done
• Remind all staff of the dangers of warming fires and smoking among others.
The above guidelines are essential as Scheepers expects this year to be a very “interesting” fire season.
Also read:
Working on Fire is preparing for the fire season
