Local Government and Environmental Affairs MEC Anton Bredell says the Western Cape Government has budgeted R16 million to tackle wildfires during the upcoming busy fire season.
He was speaking at the launch of the provincial fire readiness initiative in Stellenbosch on Monday.
Bredell says authorities have planned well to deal with whatever lies ahead during the long, hot summer that awaits.
Dense vegetation, together with hot, dry, and windy summer weather, creates favourable conditions for wildfires.
Bredell said that looking back to the previous summer, a total of 7215 Wildfires were experienced. The provincial government authorised aerial support to 38 of these wildfires.
85% of all fires in identified high risk areas were contained during the initial attack phase, the majority within the first hour. The Western Cape Government invested R14,5 million on fire suppression during the previous fire season.
Looking towards the coming season, the Western Cape Government has budgeted R16 million for wildfire responses.
“We have aerial and ground support tenders in place. For this season we have 4 helicopters on tender, and access to another 4 if needed. We also have 4 bomber planes and 8 spotter aircraft at our disposal.”
Bredell emphasised the important role of the Mutual Aid Agreement that exists in the Western Cape between municipalities and the different firefighting entities.
“This agreement ensures clear lines of command, fast budget decisions, and coordination between different outfits. It allows for units closest to a fire to respond fast and with dedicated focus on the challenge at hand.”
He has thanked each member of the approximately 2300 fire fighters, both professional and those on contract, who will be available this season.
“You are the men and women who will be risking your health and lives doing this hard and dangerous work on the ground to keep us safe during this summer.”
The public has an important role to play, as the majority of fires are caused either intentionally or through negligence.
Bredell has asked that people report any sighting of a fire as quickly as possible to the closest authorities.
“Experience over many years has taught us that the faster the initial response, the better our chances are of successfully controlling a fire before it spirals out of control.”
Partners in the Western Cape firefighting initiative includes:
- Cape Winelands District Municipality
- West Coast District Municipality
- Overberg District Municipality
- Garden Route District Municipality
- City of Cape Town
- Cape Nature
- Sanparks
- Greater Cedarberg FPA
- Cape Winelands FPA
- Cape Peninsula FPA
- Greater Overberg FPA
- Southern Cape FPA
- Volunteer Wildfire Services
- Working on Fire
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