Mildest fire season in 30 years helps Lefpa
MBOMBELA - Unusual winter rainfall, early summer downpours and overall mild weather conditions have significantly reduced the burden on our heroic firefighters for much of 2022.
According to the Lowveld and Escarpment Fire Protection Association (Lefpa), this past fire season was the quietest season in over three decades. Lefpa’s manager, André Scheepers, has been left scratching his head, saying he has never seen a season like this before.
“The aircraft stats for 2022 are the lowest in more than 30 years. There were plenty of fires to keep crews, members and Forestry Support Programme teams extremely busy, but mild weather held the Fire Danger Index (FDI) happily in the green, with a few orange days here and there.”
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) recorded above normal rain for Mbombela for the months of January, April, May and June, with below normal rain in February being the exception. On average, temperatures for Mbombela from January to June were mostly slightly above normal.
Skukuza recorded near normal rainfall in January and March, while April and May received above normal rain. Below normal rainfall was received in June, with relatively little rainfall received during the late autumn months.
Scheepers said, “We are grateful for another incidentfree and safe season within the Lefpa operational area. Late rain slowed down the fire season, assisted by mild weather, with low FDIs reflecting in the stats for the season. Our spotter, chopper and fixed-wing aircraft will remain in the area until November 15.”
The SAWS predicts extreme weather during summer as the El Niña Southern Oscillation is still active, bringing higher temperatures, higher rainfall, extreme heat, flooding, hail a nd severe thunderstorms. Tropical cyclones will become more relevant between February and April.
Agricultural meteorologist Johan van den Berg said, “Average to above average rainfall is expected in Mpumalanga from about October to January. It is possible that heavy rain can again cause very wet and waterlogged conditions from about November. Drier conditions are possible from about February, with the current La Niña weakening from early 2023.”
Lefpa’s November newsletter advocates for a different approach when it comes to fire suppression.
Scheepers wrote,
“Changing weather patterns and radically intensified and more frequent fires call for a fire suppression game plan tailored to fit the fires we face now, not the fires we used to fight. Fire protection agencies and stakeholders need to develop tactics and evolve procedures to match the wildfires of today.”
The traditional Lefpa pilots’ braai was held at the Hotspot on October 31, closing the fire season with pilots, dispatch and management enjoying a few cold ones together.
Vice chairperson Martin Buchler thanked members, management, staff and the pilots on a job well done, wishing the pilots a safe summer fire season and best of luck until their return in 2023.