Why the ‘black snow’ must fall

The sugar cane harvesting season is well underway and with it comes the ‘black snow’ that is synonymous with ‘winter’ on the Dolphin Coast.
The harvesting season runs from April through till December.
Hated alike by the housewives who have just hung up their washing and the owners of newly washed white cars, the black ash is a necessary by-product of the industry that sweetens our morning tea and pumps R12 billion annually into the economy.
The sugar cane industry in South Africa currently burns 90 percent of its cane. Cutting sugar cane without burning is notoriously difficult and time consuming.
SASRI Extension office based in Umhlali receives numerous complaints over the falling ash.
According to Canegrowers’ Regional Services Director Dr Kathy Hurly cane growers are required by sugar industry Better Management Practices (BMPs) to only burn when the climatic conditions are suitable.
“While cane growers are responsible and adhere to the BMPs, it is impossible to manage the impact of cane fires which can occur for a number of reasons other than a planned burn, and in many cases, these are the cause of smut fall-out. These include fires as a result of arson or dry, windy weather conditions which are beyond the control of the grower and are extremely difficult and dangerous to manage.
She explained that the practice of burning is taken seriously by cane growers and is closely monitored and managed.
“Burns usually take place early in the morning or late in the evening when the cane is wet and therefore burn less fiercely and creates less soot.”
Growers are required to register their burns beforehand, taking cognisance of the Fire Rating Index and the prevailing climatic conditions. In addition, each cane growing area has its own local Codes of Burning Practice/ local regulations. Contravention of the BMPs is addressed by the Environment Committee and sanction is taken against the offending person.
To report a problematic cane fire or associated problems contact the SASRI Extension Office at the Umhlali office on 032-947 1410.

Need to report a fire?

Please supply the following information:
∙ Name and contact details.
∙ Date, place and time of problem fire.
∙ Wind direction at the time and direction of fire if spotted in relation to nearest town.