No planned or open fires warns Working on Fire Limpopo
Working on Fire manager Mark Wreyford has urged residents to adhere to the rules where fires are concerned during the red period.
MOKOPANE- With the fire season declared a red period on July 17, Working on Fire manager Mark Wreyford has urged residents to adhere to the rules where fires are concerned.
“Red time means no more planned fires or open fires or rubbish burning, as this can lead to a fire hazard rating,” he said.
“Fire danger” means the chance that a fire (field, forest or mountain fire) could start or get out of control, and the measure is determined taking into account various factors. The system is set up and maintained by the minister (or his delegates) in consultation with the South African Weather Bureau, and fire protection associations.
When the fire danger is ‘high’ or ‘extreme’, in any particular region, the minister will publish a warning through the media.
It is a criminal offence to light, use or maintain an outdoor fire in the region identified in such a warning.
If you leave an outdoor fire that you have lit, used or left unattended (before it is extinguished), this is seen as an offence.
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If you light, use or maintain a fire outdoors that spreads and causes injury or damage, you are committing a criminal offence.
Any person who throws, places or drops anything in the open air which causes a fire and which then spreads and causes injury or damage commits a crime.
Violators of the law will be prosecuted.
