Hundreds of unplanned fires have ravaged the Dolphin Coast over the last three months, with the farming community being the hardest hit.
The driest winter since 2010 and windy conditions have meant the smallest flame can quickly become a raging inferno.
South African Sugar Association Agrometeorologist Phil Sithole reported that during the months of May, June and July the combined weighted average rainfall measured (by area under cane) at Gledhow, Darnall and Maidstone dropped from 142 mm in 2013 to 41.70mm in 2014, which is a reduction of 70%.
The long term mean or climatic mean, an average over several years of records (more than 60 in this case), is 42.6mm for May, 27.3mm for June and 33.3mm for July.
With such dry conditions farmers have been on high alert, ready to help one another fight fires on neighbouring farms.
Gledhow executive board vice-chairman, Paul de Robillard confirmed that frequency of the fires was affecting farmers, especially when cane that was not ready for harvesting was burnt.
“Fires can be both maliciously started or just accidents. A cigarette dropped on the side of the road can start a fire that could spread quickly.”
High winds also means that planned fires can more easily get out of control and have to be monitored carefully.
Last Thursday a woman was killed in a fire at Driefontein. According to Umhlali police the fire was the result of controlled cane burning.
An initial statement from Netcare911 claimed the deceased was a man, who had been part of a team performing routine controlled burning in the sugar cane fields when he was trapped in the flames.
“Ninety percent of the man’s body was burnt when paramedics arrived. They worked for some time trying to stabilise him but he died due to his extensive injuries,” said Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha.
However a local farmer, who did not want to be named, confirmed there had been a fire but claimed the victim was not a farmworker.
“I believe the fire started small and got out of control very quickly because of the wind. It reached a nearby informal settlement and some people tried to assist. The woman who burnt to death may have just been trying to help.”
Just two week’s ago Ballito felt the heat when the veld caught alight between Wakenshaw estate, Simbithi estate and the Ballito Junction. KwaDukuza fire fighters fought the blaze for most of the day, with strong winds making the fire difficult to extinguish.
But there is hope for a cease fire as weather bureaus predict a cold front will arrive on the Dolphin Coast this week, hopefully bringing some desperately needed rain.
Need to report a fire?
Contact the South African Sugarcane Research Institute Extension Office at the Umhlali office on 032-9471410. 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.
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