WOF teams help contain several fires across Limpopo
Over 175 Working on Fire (WOF) team members were dispatched to contain various fires across the province over the past two days.
LIMPOPO – “Of the fires, the largest was the fire at Triangle just outside Tzaneen,” said Provincial Spokesperson for WOF, Matema Ngwangwa.
WOF fire fighters were dispatched on Thursday, 6 October to help contain wildfires that were destroying Limpopo’s picturesque nature in the Tzaneen area after LFPA (Letaba Fire Protection Association) requested help. The teams were assisted overhead by two helicopters and two spotter planes.
“The WOF team, together with community members, land owners/farmers and Fire Protection Association (FPA) members are still on the fire-line in the Tzaneen Triangle assisting in the suppression of these raging fires,” she added.
“The fire was eventually contained on Saturday morning,” she continued.
Currently there are 7 veldfires burning across Limpopo where the WOF teams have been dispatched to. #SavingLives pic.twitter.com/jNBhzXJDwL
— Working on Fire (@wo_fire) October 7, 2016
Team Makhado was dispatched at around 09:00 on Friday morning to suppress a wildfire near Grassmore.
WOF firefighters are also assisting FPA members in several other areas which include:
ZZ2, Letaba Drift and Dovey in the Tzaneen area. Drie Fontaine under DAFF and the Podungwane area in the Capricorn District Municipality.
Aeriel resources are currently assisting in the Tzaneen Triangle and Dovey area she concludes.
#facesoffire Dovey fire Tzaneen @wo_fire pic.twitter.com/FxygfpAZ5M
— Letaba Fire (@LetabaFire) October 7, 2016
“Due to the Fire Danger Index being high in the province and the effects of the ongoing drought, the fires are becoming more uncontrollable and they spread easily as the grass is dry and easily burns.”
“At the moment, we don’t know what could’ve been the cause of all the seven fires in the province and also the total hectares burned are still not yet known pending a final report of the investigation by the FPA.
An alert sent out on Friday on PLK Alerts, a local WhatsApp group, requests assistance for firefighters in the Tzaneen Area.
It reads as follows: Deerpark is on fire and houses are in danger. Awaiting to declare this fire a DISASTER by Disaster Center!
We are desperately looking for people to assist in drinking water / energade / fruit to give to the fire fighters.
Please, lets help them help us to fight this fire!!
ALL DRINKS / FOOD can be dropped off at Tzaneen Show Grounds.
Call Maritza 082 304 9162 if you are able to assist
