MIDVAAL. – Working on Fire-Kishugu Joint Venture’s regional Manager Sipho Dhladhla recently strengthened ties by holding a series of engagements with Midvaal Fire Protection Association (FPA) as they get ready for the winter fire season.

Dhladhla says there is a huge need to forge strong partnerships with the landowners.

He said Working on Fire-Kishugu Joint Venture’s firefighters are going to help landowners with burning the fire breaks, fire suppressions, and conducting the fire awareness workshops with farm workers.

This, he said, will yield positive results when it comes to fire control and management in the area.

‘‘Midvaal Fire Protection Association is also encouraging the landowners to collaborate with our firefighters.

The burning of the fire breaks will start this month.

In the meetings, we sought to plan the burning operations in the area.

Climate change exacerbates the fire intensity, frequency and spread in areas not previously threatened.

To avert the loss of properties and agricultural production, we burn fire breaks on time,’’ explained the regional manager.

Dhladhla says the landowners know that they need to obtain the burning permits from the local authorities.

The partnership, he said, will ensure the team works effectively for the greater good of the communities around Midvaal.

‘‘Our crew leaders are part of these engagements to understand the needs of the landowners. This eradicates any form of red tape between us and landowners,’’ he said.

Corné Heymans, the chairperson of the FPA urged farmers to ensure farms are safe from fire dangers.

This, he said, can be done through working with municipality’s public safety department.