GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Cape Town fire expert Rob Erasmus said landowners need to become compliant with the National Veld and Forest Act to avoid possible prosecution for damage caused by fires that start or spread from their properties.
Erasmus addressed 200 people at a Wilderness Ratepayers and Residents Association (WRRA) meeting held on Wednesday 12 July, who had come to listen to advice on how to protect themselves against wildfires.
Erasmus emphasised the need to be pro-active in fire prevention. He had spent three days fighting the disastrous June fires. "There is likely to be an inquiry where questions will be asked - such as why the original fire was not extinguished; why the fire department only requested assistance after the fire had already caused damage, and who gave the order to evacuate and based on what information."
25m high walls of flames
After the meeting Erasmus said he had responded to a public call for help from the Knysna fire chief late on Wednesday evening 7 June. He was actively involved in fighting fires at Simola and the plantations south of the N2 near Rheenendal, and doing authorised back burning to stop the fire.
He was then deployed to Goukamma Nature Reserve to protect the infrastructure (office, staff houses and guest accommodation). During the weekend he was faced with walls of flames 25m high that raced through the reserve.
"We lost R25 000 worth of firefighting equipment but attacked the fire again once the main fire-front had passed over us. We were deployed to Buffels Bay and assisted in a multi-agency operation where not a single house was destroyed by the massive fire that swept down on this coastal community," he said.
His team was also involved in extinguishing glowing embers and burning vegetation that continued to threaten buildings.
Prevention
He said a large number of homes were lost to the fire as a result of wind-blown embers that landed on evacuated houses. "Home owners need to accept that in times like these the authorities will not be able to assist everyone in their time of need.
They need to be trained to be able to take responsibility in reducing the fire risk around their homes and to be prepared to defend their properties from wind-blown embers that might originate substantial distances away. Likewise the authorities need to think carefully before issuing evacuation orders, and not leave it to the last minute."
Practical tips
He gave these tips: It is imperative to clear fire prone vegetation around your home, such as invasive black wattle and bluegum trees; remove dangerous fuel loads; don't leave stacks of wood next to your house; don't have combustible material lying around and maintain a proper firebreak.
Gutters should be cleaned - a flying ember could land and ignite the leaves; keep rainwater tanks and a portable pump ready for putting out fires (the water pressure often drops in towns when residents all water down their properties); keep fire extinguishers ready; also fire-protective clothing and drinking water to prevent dehydration; and have a fire escape route.
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