As the Lowveld and Highveld are on fire just like the current runaway blazes raging in other parts of the world, André Scheepers, manager of the Lowveld and Escarpment Fire Protection Association (LEFPA), has warned communities to be on guard.
Already, the smoke has led to road accidents with low visibility and some roads, such as certain parts of the N4, had been closed in an attempt to manage additional disasters. The continuing windy conditions are playing in the hands of the fire god Hephaestus, who seems to have put his sights on these areas in Mpumalanga. The cold weather also does not make the work of the firefighters any easier.
Scheepers had also again appealed to the public not to leave heaters and active braai areas unattended. He also warned communities to be on the alert as according to the South African Weather Services, the weather is not going to change this week and conditions will be detrimental to the fires.
LEFPA are currently battling more than ten separate blazes in eManzana formally known as Badplaas to Machadodorp, Lydenburg, Sabie, White River, Graskop and Bushbuckridge and its resources are stretched to the limit.
“Strong winds and hot conditions in the Lowveld are the main cause of the fires and more than 1000 hectors are already lost which include grazing fields and orchards at Commercial Forestry, destroying even farm and harvesting equipment in its wake. Aerial support is aiding the efforts.
Fires and emergency situations can be reported on 0860 66 3473 and 013 753 3331.
