Weather WARNING for veld fires on THURSDAY in parts of SA

A weather WARNING has been issued for parts of the country for THURSDAY and Friday by the South African Weather Service (SAWS).

THE WEATHER WARNING IS ISSUED FOR THURSDAY AND FRIDAY

It warned of veld fire conditions in several parts of the country.

The SAWS advised that fire teams, labour, and equipment should be placed on standby.

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“At the first sign of smoke, every possible measure should be taken in order to bring the fire under control in the shortest possible time.”

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HERE ARE THE AREAS THAT WILL BE AFFECTED

These areas will be affected:

• Dawid Kruiper – Twee Rivieren / Twee Rivieren
• Dawid Kruiper – Upington / Upington
• Joe Morolong / Hotazel
• Mangaung – Naledi / Vryburg
• Lekwa-Teemane / Bloemhof
• Tsantsabane / Postmasburg
• Greater Taung / Taung
• Tswelopele / Tikwana/Hoopstad
• Kai !Garib / Augrabies Falls
• !Kheis / Groblershoop
• Tokologo/Dealesville
• Siyathemba / Prieska
• Hantam / Calvinia
• Kareeberg / VanWyksvlei
• Kopanong / Fauresmith
• Mohokare / Aliwal North
• Ubuntu / Victoria West
• Karoo Hoogland / Sutherland
• Beaufort West
• Kannaland / Ladismith
• Oudtshoorn
• Dr Beyers Naude – Baviaans / Willowmore
• Dr Beyers Naude – Graaff-Reinet / Graaff – Reinet

WHAT TO DO WHEN VELD FIRES APPROACH YOUR PROPERTY

What you should do when veld fire approaches your property: 

• Decide whether it is safer to stay or leave the scene.
• Wear protective clothing and footwear.
• Have emergency food and medical supplies ready.
• Move livestock to safer areas.
• Listen to the radio for news updates.
• Wet the garden and house, especially on the side of the approaching fire.
• Plug gutters and fill them with water.
• Fill baths, buckets and dust bins with water in case the water supply fails, and have mops handy.
• Seal any gaps between the doors and floor using wet towels or similar items.
• Close all windows and doors.
• If you decide to stay, go indoors and remain there until the fire has passed.
• Take fire hoses and other firefighting equipment indoors with you.
• Check inside the house, including the roof cavity, and extinguish any small fires immediately.
• Remain vigilant after the fire has passed.
• If you decide to evacuate your home, remember that every second counts:
• Escape first, then call for help. Develop a home fire escape plan and make sure everyone in the family gathers at an agreed meeting place outside.
• Make sure everyone in the family knows two ways to escape from every room.
• Practise feeling your way out with your eyes closed.
• Never stand up in a fire, always crawl low under the smoke and try to keep your mouth covered.
• Practice your family emergency plan / home escape plan frequently with your family.
• Never return to a burning building for any reason, you could die.
• Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a home fire.

“Conditions are such that the Fire Danger Index (FDI) is above 75. Under these conditions, fires may develop and spread rapidly, resulting in damage to property and possible loss of human and/or animal life.”

SAWS

Conditions are such that the FDI index is above 75. Under these conditions, fires may develop and spread rapidly, resulting in damage to property and possible loss of human and/or animal life.

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