POLOKWANE – Firefighters attached to Working on Fire (WOF) in Limpopo were hard at work responding to wildfires that engulfed vegetation and farms in various parts of the province.

The spokesperson for WOF Ofentse Letsoalo said they have responded to 18 fires damaging an estimated 100 hectares of vegetation in Polokwane, Lebowakgomo and elsewhere in the Capricorn region.

“The winter fire season officially commences on June 1 and will run up to the end of October. However, there has already been an occurrence of wildfires with different teams dispatched to assist with suppression efforts.”

Letsoalo says climate change fuels wildfires and the province anticipates an eventful winter fire season compared to previous years, keeping the team on their toes.

“The province commends firefighters for their continuous hard work and dedication to saving lives and protecting their environment. With the training the firefighters received during the annual Yellow Card Training assessment, they are ready and fit to face the wildfires head-on.”

WOF’s community fire awareness officer Sello Matlhare pleads with communities to remove fuel loads in and around their properties and take priority in educating their loved ones about the impact and dangers of igniting fires without adult supervision.

“Communities are advised to refrain from starting unwanted fires as they might result in runaway fires.”

He added that the WOF programme is celebrating two decades of sustainability.

“It is a part of the South African Government’s initiative to create jobs and alleviate poverty. Today, WoF employs more than 5000 young men and women, who have been fully trained as veld firefighters and are stationed in more than 200 bases throughout South Africa.”