The Drakenstein Municipality’s Fire Services responded to 243 incidents across the municipal area between 1 and 31 December 2024, during the festive season last year, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Of the total fires, 34 were structural, while 188 were wildfires. This is according to Eda Barnard, executive director for Public Safety.
‘The remaining 21 fires included electrical, vehicle and rubbish fires,’ said Eda Barnard.
Several preparatory measures were taken in preparation for the fire season.
This included the maintenance of hydrants, cleaning of fire belts, servicing and testing of the fleet and personal protective equipment and issuing warnings and fines to hazardous properties, according to Paarl Post via News24.
‘This strategy was complemented by the roll-out of a social-media programme promoting awareness, preparedness and safety to the community,’ said Barnard.
‘This programme formed part of the municipality’s multi-departmental Safer Summer Season strategy,’ Barnard added.
Additionally, the fire season in Drakenstein concluded approximately around April/May, according to Barnard.
According to Barnard, the Western Cape Government, Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services, the local Fire Protection Association, as well as neighbouring municipalities’ fire services, are instrumental in Drakenstein Municipality’s firefighting efforts.
‘The local community and businesses also play a critical part in this process,’ said Barnard.
The Drakenstein Farm Watch (DFW) published an open letter on Facebook earlier this week on Sunday, 12 January, where they stated that the recent devastation caused by fires in South Africa and internationally has brought up questions on how fire services are managed, funded and executed.
‘The recent fires in the United States, for instance, revealed glaring deficiencies in response times, resource availability and leadership,’ the open letter stated.
‘Similar challenges confront us here in the Cape Winelands and Drakenstein Municipal areas, where catastrophic fires have wreaked havoc in recent years,’ the letter added.
According to Daan van Leeuwen Boomkamp, DFW spokesperson, it was time to ‘reflect’ on how local authorities organise fire service delivery as well as explore opportunities for improvement.
Improvements included transparency, accountability and public-private partnerships.
‘In Paarl alone we have endured two major mountain fires within a year – the latest in November 2024 – and a hurricane-force wind fire in April 2024 originating from the Du Toits Kloof Pass,’ said Van Leeuwen Boomkamp.
‘These fires caused significant destruction, overwhelmed local fire services, and, in some cases, forced emergency crews to retreat […] Despite the valiant efforts of front line responders, the outcomes highlight systemic issues that demand urgent attention,’ Van Leeuwen Boomkamp added.
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Picture: Drakenstein Municipality / Facebook
