Weather warning for veld fires on WEDNESDAY in these areas

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a warning for veld fire conditions on Wednesday, 28 September.

“Under these conditions, fire may develop and spread rapidly resulting in damage to property and possible loss of human and/or animal life,” said SAWS.

These are the areas that could be impacted

• Tsantsabane / Postmasburg
• Maquassi Hills / Wolmaranstad
• Manguang – Naledi / Vryburg
• Ventersdorp/Tlokwe – Potch / Potchefstroom
• Kheis / Groblershoop
• Siyathemba / Prieska
• Gamagara / Kathu
• Kai Garib / Augrabies Falls
• Mamusa / Schweizer – Reneke
• Magareng / Warrenton
• Ratlou
• Joe Morolong / Hotazel
• Kgatelopele / Daniëlskuil
• Lekwa-Teemane / Bloemhof
• Dawid Kruiper – Upington / Upington
• Rustenburg
• Moses Kotane / Pilanesberg
• Ga-Segonyana / Kuruman
• Greater Taung / Taung
• Dikgatlong / Barkly West
• Dawid Kruiper – Twee Rivieren / Twee Rivieren
• City of Matlosana / Klerksdorp
• Phokwane / Jan Kempdorp
• Ramotshere Moiloa / Zeerust
• Kareeberg / VanWyksveli
• Mogalakwena / Mokopane
• Thabazimbi
• Bela-Bela
• Blouberg / Alldays
• Modimolle / Mookgopong – Mookgopong / Mookgopong
• Lephalale
• Modimolle/Mookgopong – Vaalwater / Vaalwater
• Ephraim Mogale / Marble Hall

WHAT TO DO WHEN VELD FIRES APPROACH YOUR PROPERTY

Previously, it was reported that there are a number of ways to stay safe if a veld fire approaches your property. They are as follows: 

• 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.