Fire Season Starts 1 November 2024

It’s Fire Season in the Overberg and Overstrand areas again. The official dates for the beginning of the fire seasons are 1st November 2024 in the Overstrand and 1st December 2024 in the Overberg. It is extremely important for the community to be aware of what this means, and to partake in the problem as fire reporting and prevention of fires is everybody’s responsibility and not just the members of fire and rescue teams in the area.

Firstly, it is extremely important to report the following: *Anybody starting a fire - it is a criminal offend. *The sighting of any smoke or fires must be reported immediately for quick response by the fire teams to prevent large disasters. *The area is prone to fires, so we need to be extremely vigilant. The forecasts for the areas do not look too good - therefor we as community needs to assist to prevent such events. Historically we have the example of the Knysna fires in 2017 what can happen in large disasters due to fires. This is not to cause any panic, but we need to do our part to be part of the prevention.

Homeowners are encouraged to use all possible opportunities to reduce risks to wildfires. As a homeowner, you can’t just rely on the fire services. Be prepared and take prevention actions. Your first step is to access your home in relation to potential threats. It is important to create or have a defendable space around your home. This means that fire cannot come directly onto your home, and enough space to get fire resources around the home to defend it, but most important to hopefully stop the fire before it reaches your home.

Here is how to do this:

*Take note of the vegetation surrounding your home. *With this info, clear fuels around your home and thin out fuels in surrounding areas. *Keep grass and fine vegetation around the home trimmed. *Ensure leaves and dead vegetation are removed. *Clear decks and balconies and avoid build-up of fuels against walls. *Keep gutters clear of leaf litter. *Check your roof and seal any gaps such as air vents that could let embers in. *Store flammable material like wood piles away from your home. *Make sure gas bottles are stored safely and not exposed to possible heat source. *You must have available water sources at your home. *Install defence measures, like sprinklers or drencher systems around your home, assets and infrastructures.

If a wildfire is burning in your area, here are some steps to take:

*Block your downpipes and fill your gutters with water. *Remove other flammable material, like furniture, from around you home. *Keep all doors and windows shut. *Also have an evacuation plan in place. It’s difficult to think about, but essential to have planned.

In summary

*Prevention of fire is everyone’s responsibility. *NB: Do not panic! *Prepare - preventative measures are very important. *When seeing a fire, either on your premises, or wherever you find yourself, report it to the fire services. *Have on your plan ready: Know where your important documents are and keep them together; Know where your necessary medication is; Have all your important telephone numbers together.

Let’s fight this together!

*Overstrand Fire - 028 312 2400

*Overberg Fire - 028 425 1690

*1 Life Rescue - 0861 131311

Mark Robson: 1 Life Rescue

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