Let’s be prepared Fire season on our doorstep… 

Thabazimbi – Fires are, and always have been, a part of the South African landscape. Each year we experience the severe impact caused by uncontrolled fires. South Africa has two fire seasons according to rainfall patterns, the dry summer months in the Western Cape, and the dry winter months in the rest of the country. Almost 99% of all fires are caused by human negligence, by people being careless with open flames and indifferent to the consequences of their carelessness. The role of any Fire Protection Association (FPA) is to educate, inform, advise, consult, represent and train members. The National Fire Act requires landowners to have enough trained staff and firefighting equipment to stand a reasonable chance of preventing fires and stopping them from spreading to adjacent properties.
Landowners have to comply with the Act, whether they belong to an FPA or not. FPAs help their members to fulfil their legal responsibilities by providing advice and guidance on how to reduce the risk of wildfires. The  FPA is a platform for landowners to coordinate efforts and share resources during fire incidents. 

ATTENTION FARMERS 
“If you want to commence with block burns and firebreaks, you have to notify your neighbours (in writing). You have to first get permission from the Department of Agriculture, and then get permission from Thabazimbi Fire Protection Association (TPFA). Our fire season usually kicks off on 15 June up to the fire ban or after the first 25mm rain fell. However, several farmers are already preparing to start firebreaks. Above all, please be safe. Contact us should you require any information.

Gerrie Visagie, fire protection office,
078 252 4076