Working on Fire Programme - Programmed for Success

Firestorm! Highlighting the need for Co-operative Governance.
After the devastating wildfires that ravaged across Mpumalanga, Kwa-Zulu Natal & Free State in late July 2007; MEC of Local Government & Housing, Ms Candith Mashigo-Dlamini with Minister of Water Affairs & Forestry Ms Lindiwe Hendricks, Minister of Provincial & Local Government Mr Sydney Mufamadi and Mr N.F. Ntsoane from the Department of Local Government after their visit to the affected areas in Mpumalanga.

Click here to read a message from Minister Sydney Mufamadi (Minister of Provincial and Local Government) and Minister Lindiwe Hendricks (Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry) regarding the prevention of future veld and forest fires.

Newsflash

In 2004, Working on Fire (WoF) undertook a survey to ascertain the level of interest, involvement and budget that was aligned to fire awareness initiatives across South Africa with local, provincial and national organisations. We are now repeating the survey with a view to evaluate what may have changed with respect to fire awareness activities and campaigns that have been actioned since the last survey.
We would strongly appreciate you taking the time to complete the questionnaire and return it to info@wofire.co.za by 31 December 2008 (alternatively, fax to 086 5197588 or post to Working on Fire Advocacy, Winter House, Private Bag X7, Claremont 7735).

The Fire Situation

Unwanted veld and forest fires regularly devastate the country's landscapes affecting natural eco-system function, endangering life and ruining property. In townships and informal settlements fires are almost a daily occurrence leading to loss of life, severe injuries and loss of possessions. The country has two 'fire seasons': the dry summer months in the Western Cape, and the dry winter months throughout the rest of the country. Over five months in 2005, Working on Fire assisted in fighting 1 000 fires nationally. As an example of urban fire devastation, 100 people died in 2 000 shack settlement fires in Cape Town during 2005. More than 8 000 shacks were destroyed and 28 000 people left destitute.

Fire Management and Acts

In terms of the National Veld and Forest Fire Act of 1998, the responsibility for the start and spreading of a veld fire rests with the land user. The Act promotes the formation of Fire Protection Associations - groups of landowners who work together to mitigate the risks of fire. It is compulsory for all public landowners to be members of a local FPA. Private landowners are encouraged to join as it is clearly in their interests. The national coordination of fire-fighting emergencies is enabled by the Disaster Management Act of 2002. This act supplies a clear hierarchical structure outlining the powers and duties of the authorities at national, provincial and local level. It also provides policy and a framework within which disaster management centres, plans and strategies can be established.

The Response

Given the impact of annual fires across South Africa and in the urban areas, there was a need for an agency that could train and coordinate veld fire-fighting teams. Although a team's immediate area of responsibility would be a 100 km radius of its home base, the agency would be able to deploy the teams nationally should an emergency arise. The overall strategy would be to apply the principles of integrated fire management to reduce the frequency and impact of uncontrolled fires.