By Matsobane Manaka
Veld fires destroy trees, farming land and subsequently the economy of the country.
Various parts of the province have experienced an increase in veld fires. Veld fires pose serious threat to property, further causing pollution to the air and water consumed by humans. It severely affects the livelihood in such that it destroys trees, farming land, species of wildlife and the economy of the country.
The South African Weather Services has issued a national warning forecasting the severe weather conditions with extremely high fire covering the Western Bushveld of Limpopo and other areas of Waterberg, Sekhukhune, and Southern parts of Capricorn Districts.
The dry season, changes in land use, change in climate, land clearing, lightening and other related human activities are among other causes for concerns. The consequences often leave land to become more vulnerable where millions of hectares of grazing area are severely affected.
As a matter of concern, the Provincial Disaster Risk Management and Vulnerability (PDRMV) reiterated its call to the community to join hands in the fight against veld fire. However, it appealed to the community to refrain from causing fire in the open-air during the periods of high fire hazard. It further gives guidance to community to either establish or join in fire control committees. By joining the committees, they will be able to better prepare in advance to jointly fight against veld fires in an organized manner.
PDRMV further urged farmers to move out their livestock from grazing land to unbarred land or ploughed field for safety.
For immediate action drill: farming communities’ preparedness to grade alongside their inner fences for fire breaks as per the Disaster Management Act (Act no. 57 of 2002, always have fire prevention equipment including protective clothing and grass beaters to extinguish the fire, join Fire Protection Association (FPA) which is established in every municipality to prevent or control veld fires as required by the Act and finally have fire emergency number.
This will go a long way in sustaining the land management issue hence regenerating the economy and create much needed jobs.
