HOT winds fanned by a strong northeaster led to a spate of runaway veld fires today.

Authorities warn there is worse to come as the fire danger index (FDI) is expected to reach critically high levels by Friday.

Illegally dumped glass bottles and waste have been named as  major contributors.

According to Zululand Fire Protection Association (ZFPA) fire protection officer Tony Roberts, the dome at the base of a bottle acts as a magnifying tool, which intensifies heat to set fire to dry grass.

‘This is an issue when temperatures rise and humidity goes down to 21%, leaving hazardously hot glass on the grass – a perfect recipe for spontaneous combustion,’ says Roberts.

‘The community needs to be warned that the FDI will be in a dangerous orange zone on Thursday and catastrophic red on Friday, so I’m urging people to not throw bottles out of car windows, dump bottles on the ground or start open fires on the ground anywhere.’

Roberts said fires are often set to heaps of trash in communities with tragic consequences.

‘One woman burned and died about a month ago after rubbish was burnt in her community near Mtubatuba,’ he said.

‘It’s high time that people learn that their irresponsible actions with refuse end in catastrophic events.

‘Homes can burn down and lives are on the line.’

Many law-abiding residents are faced with the eyesore of perilous illegal dumping sites in neighbourhoods.

One Zululander was shocked seeing hundreds of empty whiskey bottles dropped in a park between Arboretum streets Vaarlandswilg and Soetdoringsekel.

‘I discovered this disgusting sight on my way home last week and was horrified to see all of these J&B bottles.

‘It is just upsetting for any concerned citizen caring about this town and the safety of children playing in the area.’