Firefighters tackle 39 blazes in KZN

Working on Fire tackled 39 fires in KwaZulu-Natal during July.

Two hundred and thirty-seven firefighters, who are part of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environments ' expanded public works programme, were despatched to deal with veld and forest fires Manzengwenya, Kokstad, Bergville, Mbazwana, Kwagubeshe, Royal Natal, Normandien, Cathedral Peak, Vryheid, Buffelsdraai, Umzimkhulu, Nkonisa, Ulundi, Dargle, Nkandla and Qhudeni.

Working on Fire Grounds Operations Manager Thobile Dlamuka said "The winter fire season is in full swing, therefore our teams are now on standby during weekends dependant on the Fire Danger Index (FDI) forecasted by the South Africa Weather Services."

Teams are currently conducting integrated fire management services to reduce the risk of fires spreading. Fire breaks were also burned until the end of July.

Dlamuka said those responsible for fires last month included bee hunters, and some landowners and community members who started fires and then left them unattended.

He added that firefighters would remain on high alert and be ready to provide services to landowners, nature reserves, plantations and municipalities.