NORTH WEST CONTINUES TO BATTLE UNCONTROLLED FIRES
POTCHEFSTROOM – Amid the department’s controversial decision to end fire season, the North West province continues to battle Uncontrolled Fires.
Veld fires continue to wreak havoc across large parts of the province, with the situation growing increasingly dire as the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) officially declared the end of the fire season on 31 October. The decision, which has been heavily criticised, came despite ongoing blazes, including a devastating fire that has been ravaging the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site since Friday.
The Chairperson of the North West Umbrella Fire Protection Association, Thabo Stoch said, the fires have spread rapidly due to dry conditions, high winds, and the absence of sufficient firefighting resources.
DFFE has withdrawn its fire-fighting resources, including key personnel and support, after the close of the fire season. The decision to end the season came as a surprise to many, especially considering the ongoing risk of wildfires in several areas, including the Free State, North West, and parts of Gauteng.
Notably, the province has seen little to no support from aerial firefighting units, as there have been no helicopters available to assist ground crews battling the blazes. The absence of aerial support has made it even more difficult to contain the fires, which have spread through both conservation areas and agricultural land. This comes as a blow to local firefighting teams, who have repeatedly requested additional support.
The DFFE’s decision to officially close the fire season has sparked sharp criticism from local stakeholders, particularly the North West Umbrella Fire Protection Association (NWUFPA).
The NWUFPA had previously condemned the early closure of the fire season, arguing that it was premature and left communities and firefighters vulnerable to the continued threat of wildfires. They pointed out that fire seasons in many parts of the country often extend well into November, and that pulling back resources could have severe consequences for fire suppression efforts.
“In addition to withdrawing firefighting resources, the DFFE has also cut weekend standby and overtime payments for the Working on Fire (WoF) teams in the North West, compounding concerns over the adequacy of firefighting efforts”, Stoch said in a statement to MORONGWA.
One resident in Vryburg called for an urgent review of the DFFE’s decision warning that as long as conditions remain dry and windy, the risk of further destruction remains high. Some farmers have even questioned whether the department’s early closure of the fire season was driven by budgetary constraints rather than a genuine assessment of fire risk.
The Vredefort Dome fire, in particular, has garnered widespread attention due to its location within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Firefighters are struggling to contain the blaze, which is threatening both the unique biodiversity and the cultural heritage of the area. Efforts to control the fire have been hindered by the lack of air support and the region’s challenging terrain.
For now, however, it appears that the province will have to face the continuing threat of wildfires with fewer resources, and questions remain over whether the early end to the fire season was the right choice in the face of ongoing disaster.
