Number of fire incidents on the increase
Landowners need to be vigilant as fires are likely to increase in August, warned Working on Fire Kishugu Joined Venture Gauteng.
Working on Fire Kishugu Joined Venture (JV) Gauteng has recorded 80 fires since the start of the winter fire season.
According to JV provincial communications officer Parapara Makgahlela, in July, they saw fire calls rising to 28. In addition, an estimated 1 000 hectares were burned.
“In August, there is an anticipation of more fires which will be attended by our firefighters in different bases across the province. Many of the burning permits for the fire breaks expired end of July. This means the no smoke period is upon us.”
General Manager in Gauteng Stephen Boyes added that landowners need to be vigilant as fires are likely to increase in August.
‘‘During this time, it is windy, dry, and warm. All our teams are on standby. Our firefighters are equal to the task of battling the blazes. Some of them were in Canada battling raging fires recently,’’ he said.
According to Boyes, more landowners where their teams are operating have done fire breaks as part of preparing for the worst-case fire scenario in time.
He said the JV uses the Fire Danger Index as a rating system that indicates the fire risk for a specific area on a specific day.
“During August, the National Veld and Forest Fire Act of 1998 deter the people from burning fire breaks unless the fire authorities had issued a burning permit.”
