Veld fires worse during winter season
"Later that evening the fire flared up again until the early morning hours when we eventually managed to bring the fire under control."
The veld fires that wreaked havoc in Kameeldrift West, Andeon and Uitzicht were some of the worst during the winter season, according to the local CPF.
We had our hands full over the past couple of days with raging fires,” said Edna van Vuuren, a member of Hercules CPF sector 4 management. “Luckily, no serious injuries were reported and no homes were affected by the fires.”
“In one of the fires, we have been struggling since Monday, August 9, to bring it under control. Only at 18:00 that evening were they able to stop the fire.
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“However, later that evening, the fire flared up again until the early morning hours when we managed to stop the fire from spreading,” she said.
The exact cause of the fires was unknown, but sometimes previous fires and ash pits got out of control, starting veld fires. “The CPF wants to thank all the community members who assisted us to get the fires under control and to ensure the safety of our community,” said Van Vuuren.
She said once the fire was put out, they had to attend to a grass fire close to Gilia Road in Kameeldrif West.
“At 17:45 we were sent to a grass fire close to the Mahem raceway. On our way back to the station, we noticed a grass fire in Tiennie Street in Andeon,” Van Vuuren said.
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Tshwane emergency services also responded to some of the fire call-outs. Spokesperson Charles Mabaso said that during winter periods it was essential that people, particularly in the agricultural areas which were part of the west, needed to be aware of overgrown vegetation and initiate fire breaks on time.
“Should there be a fire, it should not run out of control. Make sure to minimise that risk.
“Fire breaks can be done in controlled burning, but controlled burning should not be carried out without prior notification and permission of the chief fire officer.
It is necessary that controlled burning should be monitored,” Mabaso said.
“Proper housekeeping around the house is essential because fires can start in small places due to poor housekeeping.
Mabaso said that open fires should be avoided at all costs. “If people use an open fire to warm themselves, it should be in a container or a brazier.
They need to make sure that the fire is fully extinguished as we run the risk of fire spread or fire getting out of control if it is not taken care of.
“It is a requirement in terms of the forestry act that people in farmlands or plots have their fire protection association registered to make sure that if there is a fire break, you have that initial response from the community.
“We offer basic fire training for communities. People need to inform us of fires in the early stages so that we can stop the fire as soon as possible,” he said.
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