Lefpa sets out winter burning restrictions
No person shall from June 1 up until October 31 make a fire in the open air, or, if such a fire has been made, allow it to continue or add fuel to it.
LYDENBURG – The Lowveld and Escarpment Fire Protection Association (Lefpa) held a meeting regarding burning prohibitions on May 10 at Badfontein.
At the meeting, several issues were discussed relating to burning operations within the association’s boundaries. Points of interest included that within the boundaries of Lefpa and the Ehlanzeni District, no person shall from June 1 up until October 31 make a fire in the open air, or, if such a fire has been made, allow it to continue or add fuel to it.
Lefpa said that fires shall only be allowed within a demarcated picnic or camping area, caravan park or holiday resort. “Only at places within such an area that have been specifically prepared and maintained for that purpose, provided that such fires are properly extinguished with water and/ or sand shall be allowed.
Fires for the preparation of food on residential stands, fires made on residential or industrial stands in proclaimed townships, fires made for initiation school purposes, but only at places which have been specially prepared and maintained for that purpose to prevent it from spreading, are also allowed,” read the statement issued by Lefpa.
It also stated that within the boundaries of Lefpa and the Ehlanzeni District, no person shall destroy by burning slash originating from any timber plantation or selfsown exotic trees and or alien invasive plants.
“No person shall, during the time set out above, destroy by burning residue, cultivated crop fields and veld, clear or maintain a fire belt by burning or execute block burns unless a burning permit has been obtained from Lefpa. In terms of Chapter 7 of the National Veld and Forest Fire Act, 101 of 1998, persons found guilty of offences will be subject to a minimum fine of R5 000.”
To obtain burning permits, contact 013-752-6419 or 0860-663-473.
