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Veldfires, if not properly managed can result in loss of life, livelihoods, grazing land livestock, timber plantations and damage to the environment. Each year veld and forest fires
destroy thousands of hectares of trees and grasslands. Many people
are injured and even killed. Animals
are endangered and people’s
livelihoods are destroyed. These
fires also damage our economy by
destroying valuable assets.
Please
help to prevent these fires. Don’t
light fires in the open air during
winter time when it is dry. Don’t be
careless with flammable material.
Report fires to your fire station or
police station as soon as possible.
Never drive or walk into an area that
is on fire.
Government introduced the National Veld and Forest Fire Act (No 101 of 1998) to alleviate the consequences of unwanted veldfires and to expedite the principles of Integrated Veldfire Management in South Africa.
In terms of the Act everyone in South Africa has responsibilities with regards to veld and forest fires. These are:
- You are responsible if a fire starts from your property. You have to control it, inform the authorities and take responsibility if someone is injured or damage caused.
- Every landowner must have equipment and personnel to assist when fires start. Landowners are obliged to burn firebreaks at the start of the fire season (Cape Town – beginning of September and the rest of the country in the beginning of June). They must however contact the Fire Protection Association in their area to ensure that all requirements are adhered to before they burn a firebreak.
- Only make fires in a designated spot. Please watch for signs that say no fires are allowed and adhere to them.
- If you throw or drop a match or other flammable material and a fire starts you will be held responsible.
- Anybody (not younger than 16 and not older than 60) has to assist when requested during a fire. No one is allowed to hinder or obstruct any person who is fighting a fire or prevent the authorities from exercising their powers of arrest, search, seizure or entry with regards to fire matters.
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