WARNING: ‘We’re in a dangerous stage of the winter fire season’
Working on Fire warns that windy, dry weather conditions increase the chances for wildfires.
Working on Fire (WOF) has warned that we are in a dangerous stage of the winter fire season.
According to Parapara Makgahlela, the Provincial Communication Officer for WOF, since the beginning of July, WOF teams have suppressed 54 fires in Gauteng, and in this past week alone, battled 39 fires. The West Rand area has recorded more than 20 fires.
It is clear we are in a dangerous stage of the winter fire season.
“A total of 419 field and forest fire- fighters stationed at 17 bases across the province are deployed to help with fire suppression and save vegetation from the fires,” Makgahlela said.
It is also believed that more than 3 000ha of vegetation were destroyed by fire in the province during the past week.
WOF is an Expanded Public Works programme funded by the Department of Environmental Affairs to help fight unwanted field and forest fires in South Africa. WOF fire-fighters are professionally trained to suppress field and forest fires and have been deployed throughout the province to reduce the personal and economic harm caused by unwanted wildfires.
WOF wants to urge landowners and community members to be vigilant and not leave fires unattended.
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