Be fire-safe this fire season
REGIONAL - The Western Cape is entering its annual fire season as the year edges closer to summer, and environmental management organisation CapeNature has urged everyone to be wary and careful this season.
In a press release issued earlier this week, CapeNature said the public can do much to help prevent fires and appealed to every person to do their part by practising fire safety in the warmer, drier months. "Open fires, especially during warm, windy days, are a common cause of uncontrolled fires and preventative measures include things such as only using designated fireplaces and facilities, never leaving a burning or smouldering fire unattended and avoiding starting a fire when it's hot and dry," the statement read.
Practising fire safety also means preparing your home to prevent fires. This includes reducing the natural fuel load around buildings, clearing a defensible space around your home and ensuring water availability in case of an emergency.
Dr Razeena Omar, CEO of CapeNature, urges everyone to take responsibility.
"Due to the high number of fires that occur as a result of negligence, it is critical that everyone is aware of the significant role they can play in stopping veld fires before they start," she said. "Veld fires place all firefighters at risk as they put their lives in danger to protect life, property, and biodiversity. Many of the fires CapeNature responds to could easily have been prevented. The costs to suppress veld fires are exorbitant, often associated with the loss of property and livelihoods, having significant impacts."
It is critical that smoke or fire be reported immediately. Time lapsed can mean the difference between minor damage and total devastation.
It is best to have the emergency numbers saved where they can be accessed easily. Be fire safe - dial 112 from a cellphone or 10177 from a landline to report smoke or fire, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Read everything you need to know on fire prevention and fire management on CapeNature's website: capenature.co.za/firemanagement.
See the adjacent sidebar for the statistics behind CapeNature's firefighting efforts in 2021/22.