The 2015 fire season begins

OFFICIALLY the fire season started on Monday, June 1, but already by that date there had been 11 fires (eight of them clearly the result of arson) reported to the local Fire Prevention Association (FPA). Perhaps that is an indication as to how dry the forests, veld and fields are in this area after a rainy season that wasn’t a rainy season.

The fire fighting aircraft that are based in Vryheid for the winter, will arrive here this week; the Working on Fire ground crew are trained and ready for any emergency; the FPA base at Vryheid airfield is again operational; it’s all systems go for a season that begins with relatively low fuel after poor summer growth, but incredible dryness particularly in the plantations.

There is already a ban on the burning of brushwood, landowners needing FPA permission before doing so, and landowners are also requested to advise the FPA prior to burning firebreaks.

Steven Hibbert, the local Fire Prevention Officer, also said that landowners should now have already checked their fire fighting equipment for any emergency that arises. He is also available under the “Fire Wise” programme to create community awareness about fire and its prevention and hazards.

The FPA urges plot owners to join the FPA, the fee being R513 inc VAT.

Any fires that any community member sees, at any time, should be reported to the FPA at 034 982 1882, or directly to Steven Hibbert at 083 769 0467. Structural fires in town do not fall under the FPA and should be reported to Link Up, as should grass fires on municipal lands in and around Vryheid.