As the Western Cape braces for its fire season, CapeNature has revealed a staggering 89 wildfires recorded between April 2023 and March 2024, devastating approximately 73 671 hectares of land, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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From April 2023 to March 2024, CapeNature responded to 89 wildfires that burned approximately 73,671 hectares, including 22 762 hectares on Entity-managed land.
This marks an increase from 73 fires in 2022/23 and 87 fires in 2021/22.
Despite this, CapeNature successfully contained 54% of wildfires in 2023/24 to under 10 hectares and 21% to under 100 hectares, thanks to its Large-Scale Rapid Initial Attack Approach (LASRIA) and collaboration with Provincial Disaster Management, local municipalities, fire protection associations, the Working on Fire Programme, volunteer services, and the public.
According to Dr Ashley Naidoo, CEO of CapeNature, ‘Not only are CapeNature’s partners critical to contain wildfires, but so are the public that report fires immediately to the correct authorities.’
‘When the public alerts the relevant authorities to smoke or fire quickly, a response can be activated before it becomes a larger incident, increasing the chances of success and saving money, time, infrastructure, and potentially even lives.
‘LASRIA can mean the difference between minor damage and total devastation, and the role of the public cannot be emphasised enough.
‘I must thank the public for reporting these fires and ask them to continue to report them as quickly as possible by dialling 112 from a mobile phone or 10177 from a landline.’
The public can help prevent wildfires during the warmer, drier months by practicing fire safety.
Most fires in the Western Cape occur in the hot season, with only six reported from June to September and 83 between October 2023 and May 2024.
Open fires are a common cause, especially on hot, dry, and windy days.
To minimise risks, avoid having fires near roads, use designated facilities, never leave fires unattended, and refrain from starting fires during hot, dry conditions.
In the 2023/24 fire season, 55% of fires were caused by people, either through negligence or intentionally (e.g., braai fires, fireworks).
Mechanical sources accounted for 12%, while fire operations like block burns contributed 10%.
Natural causes made up 14%, and 9% were unknown or suspected flare-ups from contained fires.
CapeNature manages over 820 000 hectares of protected areas in the Western Cape, primarily within the Cape Floral Region World Heritage Site, renowned for its diverse and endemic plant and animal species.
While Fynbos plants, like proteas, require fire to release seeds, increased fire frequency can hinder the maturation of these plants.
Fire poses a serious threat to both people and natural resources, prompting CapeNature to urge the public to help protect our unique biodiversity.
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Picture: CapeNature
