Western Cape authorities are bracing themselves for more wildfires this summer due to extensive vegetation growth from the very wet winter experienced in 2024.
The Western Cape’s Provincial Disaster Management Centre
(PDMC) in partnership with various stakeholders - The National Department of
Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Western Cape District municipalities,
CapeNature, SanParks, Working on Fire, various fire protection associations and
local volunteer groups, The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), Life Saving
WC and various private sector entities contracted -launched the Western Cape Summer Readiness Initiative
at the Stellenbosch Airfield Flying Club on Wednesday.
COURTESY: X - @wo_fireLocal Government, Environmental Affairs, and Development
Planning MEC, Anton Bredell, said that 2 300 professional and contract-based
firefighters are ready to protect people and property from wildfires in the
Western Cape this season.
“The provincial government has an aerial support budget of
R15 million to work together with ground crews to respond to fires for the
summer months ahead. This amount excludes aerial support budgets from the
various districts and the City of Cape Town.’’
The Western Cape Government, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries
and the Environment, together with the City of Cape Town and the Cape Winelands
District Municipality are together providing a total of 24 aerial resources,
which includes helicopters, fixed wing bombers and spotter aircraft, all ready
to respond quickly to emergencies.
Bredell explained that the province faces an increased risk
of wildfires this summer due to extensive vegetation growth from the very wet
winter experienced in 2024.
“All this plant material is now potential fuel for wildfires
during our hot, dry and windy summer months. This season we will also work
closely with new partners such as the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and
Life Saving Western Cape, to strengthen our ability to respond to all types of
hazards, whether from fires, floods, or emergencies at sea,” Bredell said.
Cape Winelands District Mayor Dr Helena von Schlicht says bulk of wildfires are due to climate changes! “More intense fires impacting newer areas not previously burned, making aerial and ground fire fighting more challenging.”#SummerFireSeasonLaunch24 pic.twitter.com/BGvNdcBqy2
— Working on Fire (@wo_fire) December 4, 2024
The Western Cape Provincial Disaster Management Centre budgeted
R391 000 for Lifesaving WC and the NSRI to enhance their critical rescue
operations, and the Department of Local Government received an additional R3
million from the 2024 Adjustment Budget process for any water related
emergencies the province might experience during the summer months.
Bredell encouraged the public to stay alert and report any
dangers they spotted, emphasizing that early action made a big difference in
preventing or reducing disasters.
Done by: Mitchum George
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