SEDIBENG.- Landowners should remain on high alert the number of fire calls out surge. The province has recorded 140 fires from 1^st June to date.

‘‘So far we have not experienced major fires. The hotspots are Vaal Marina, De Wildt, JS Moroka and Maropeng areas,’’ Boyes said.

Boyes lauded the base partners for having prepared the fire breaks on time. This, he said, mitigated risks of major fires which can be extinguished without losing livelihoods, lives or properties.

‘‘The landowners still need to vigilant and cautious as weather conditions are starting to be hot, dry and windy. Our stands will be stand as well depend on the fire danger index,’’ explained Boyes. He further said that August month is no smoke period according to the national veld and forest act of 1998 unless landowners obtain permits to burn. Boyes urged the firefighters to continue observing the occupational health and safety protocols at all times.

He said the surge in fires is likely to continue until the first rains hit the province in late October.