(Photo: Miguel Riopa / AFP)
AfriForum has warned landowners, farmers and rural communities to urgently prepare for what is expected to be a challenging wildfire season.
The warning follows after the national disaster management center in its latest seasonal risk profile pointed out an increased danger for wildfires in various parts of South Africa.
According to the centre, high to medium-high wildfire risks are expected during the winter and early spring in parts of Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Limpopo and North West. Above-normal temperatures, strong wind conditions and dense vegetation create the ideal conditions for fast-spreading wildfires, according to experts.
The risk is further increased by strong mountain winds that often precede cold fronts and can fuel devastating fires, especially in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.
While the focus falls on wildfires, the national disaster management center also warns that parts of the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape remain vulnerable to local flooding. Intense rainfall, shear pressure systems and strong winds can cause flash floods and storm damage over short periods of time, according to the centre.
Another source of concern is the expected development of El Niño conditions later this year. Weather forecasts indicate that the phenomenon may intensify by spring and continue through the summer. El Niño is traditionally associated with warmer, drier and windier conditions, further increasing the risk of drought and severe wildfires.
According to Tarien Cooks, AfriForum’s disaster management specialist, the good summer rains provided large parts of the country with excellent grazing and vegetation, but this growth now serves as potential fuel for wildfires.
(Foto: Anthony Wallace/AFP)
“Although the good rain has been favorable for grazing conditions, it also means that large amounts of combustible material are now present in rural areas. Combined with higher temperatures, strong winds and the expected El Niño conditions, the risk of serious wildfires later in the winter and during the spring is significantly greater,” says Cooks.
AfriForum calls on landowners to maintain fire strips, remove excess combustible material around homes and infrastructure, keep fire-fighting equipment ready and work closely with local fire protection associations.
The organization encourages residents to closely follow weather warnings from the South African Weather Service and take timely preventive measures to limit the risk of losses to homes, livestock, wildlife, pasture and other valuable assets.