In response to the increase in veld fires over recent summer months, the City of Cape Town’s Fire & Rescue Services has introduced aerial support craft during its fire readiness event on Thursday.
The City said its fire and rescue services had responded to over 6 000 vegetation fires between October 2022 and January 2023 – a 13% increase compared to 5 331 vegetation fires that were recorded in the same period the previous year.
This comes as the country is set to have its worst fire season in eight years, according to Working on Fire (WoF).
Also read: WCG launches fire readiness initiative ahead of busy season
The two Huey helicopters and a Cessna 182 spotter plan, which the City contracts each year as part of its summer readiness plans, will now be firmly entrenched in the Fire & Rescue Services’ firefighting efforts.
According to the City, the spotter plane flew a total of 38 hours and 34 minutes last season, while the helicopters flew for a total of 68 hours and 26 minutes, having completed 1 017 water drops.
This season, the aerial support craft will be branded to be identifiable as City resources.
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Additionally, the City says Fire & Rescue Services will also implement the following measures as part of its summer readiness plans:
- A minimum of 210 firefighters on standby at fire stations across the city at any given time.
- 120 Specially trained Wildland Firefighters, employed on a fixed-term contract.
- Signed Mutual Aid agreements with some neighbouring district municipalities and other designated services in the event of major incidents requiring assistance.
- Ongoing working relationships with the Table Mountain National Park and Volunteer Wildlife Services.
Residents and members of the public are also reminded to please report any sign of fire as soon as it is spotted.
‘Do not assume that someone else has already done it,’ says City’s MMC for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith. ‘The sooner a fire is reported, the sooner our teams can respond and limit the extent, potentially saving lives and property.’
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Picture: City of Cape Town / Facebook
