Cape ready for whatever fire season has in store
MORE than 2 000 firefighters are ready to tackle whatever this year’s fire season may bring.
The official opening of the provincial wildfire season was hosted by the Western Cape Umbrella Fire Protection Association in Somerset West yesterday, attended by about 200 delegates.
Environmental MEC Anton Bredell said there were 1 550 municipal firefighters and 1 020 seasonal firefighters across the province who were ready for the fire season. There were also 27 Working on Fire (WOF) teams.
“We have access to eight helicopters, four water bombers and eight spotter command and control aircraft that can be deployed. There are 36 runways available and prepared for these aircraft in case of need,” Bredell said.
The two-day convention in Somerset West is focused on wildfires in the Wildland-Urban Interface.
It came after the province experienced one of the largest fires in the Garden Route last month.
The fire claimed the lives of eight people, including a pregnant women.
It also destroyed more than 90 000ha and more than 200 homes.
“Every year the fire season seems to be getting worse.
“Conditions across the province are hazardous following the devastating three-year drought that has seen lots of brush and veld die.
“If the veld catches alight and the wind takes the flames, the results can be devastating,” Bredell said.
In the city council, the Fire and Rescue Service will take on 114 seasonal firefighters in the coming days.
Mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said they were employed specifically to assist with the combating of vegetation fires.
WOF ground and aerial crews (one fixed-wing spotter plane, two Huey helicopters and two Air Tractor 802 water bombers), supported by NCC and City of Cape Town firefighters, participated in a firefighting demonstration. This demonstration highlighted the interaction between ground and aerial firefighting teams and how an integrated response is needed when dealing with a wildfire, especially in its initial stages.
In the 2017/18 financial year staff responded to 10 129 vegetation fires, a 10% reduction in incidents for the same period in 2016/17, Smith said.
Vegetation fires had accounted for 68% of all fires recorded.
“Apart from the seasonal firefighters, the city (council) will also enlist the services of two helicopters as well as a spotter plane for aerial firefighting.
“While there are just over 200 firefighters on duty at the 30 fire stations around the metropole at any given time, the city (council) has more than 900 professional firefighters who can be called on in the event of a major incident,” Smith said.
Fire emergencies can be reported to the Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialling 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.