Tips to fight veld fires on the farm

April 2024

LOUISE KUNZ, ASSISTANT EDITOR

Wildfires are a common phenomenon in South Africa, especially during the drier seasons. These fires can occur due to natural causes such as lightning striking, but it is often caused by human activities such as unattended campfires, discarded cigarette butts, children playing with matches or arson.

Veld fires usually occur from May to October in the northern parts of the country and from November to April in the southern parts of the country. They cause devastation and can lead to thousands of rands worth of damage to a farmer. All landowners (and farmers) have an obligation to prevent and fight wildfires. These obligations are set out in the National Veld and Forest Fire Act (Act no. 101 of 1998).

The purpose of this Act is to prevent and combat veld, forest and mountain fires throughout South Africa. The Act provides for a variety of institutions, methods and practices for achieving this purpose.

What should you do if a fire is discovered that could pose danger? You are not allowed to stand by and watch a wildfire spread across your farm. You should do everything in your power to try to contain or extinguish it. However, remember that fires are dangerous and unpredictable. Always take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your property. Landowners should immediately notify the nearest fire protection association as well as their neighbours. 

BE PREPARED
There are many ways you can try to prevent veld fires. One of the best methods of fire prevention is preparing firebreaks. Make a fire-resistant strip without leaves, debris or flammable material at least 
10 metres away from your house. You can also prepare firebreaks on the border of your property. Discuss these with your neighbours and plan together so that the firebreaks are prepared in the right area.

Make sure of the following:

1. Firebreaks should be long and wide enough to stop a fire from spreading.
2. It should not cause soil erosion.
3. Make sure that it is free of flammable material.
4. Firebreaks must be maintained throughout the season.

Here are some other tips:

• Maintain your property by trimming trees and shrubs, removing dead leaves and debris, and making sure your gutters are clean. 
• It is a good idea to join your local fire protection association or a WhatsApp group in your community so that you can be informed of wildfires in the area. Always have emergency numbers handy of people you can contact for assistance.
• Be aware of different evacuation routes to leave the area in case a fire spreads to your farm. 
• Plan for what to do with your livestock in the event of a fire. 
• Have the necessary equipment, protective clothing and trained personnel to extinguish fires. Stock up on emergency supplies, including masks and/or respirators that filter out particles from the air you breathe.
• Keep an outdoor water source filled. Sand is also a highly effective method of fire control if water is not readily available.

BE EQUIPPED
All landowners should have fire-fighting equipment on the farm. The Act states that the equipment must be reasonably accessible in the circumstances. 

Here are some guidelines that can be useful in the event of a fire: 

• Fire ‘swatters’ made from old belting strips of rubber or wet sacks. Beating the fire with these belting strips or wet sacks will take away the air (oxygen) that the fire needs to burn. If there is not enough air, the fire will smother and die slowly.
• Shovels, rakes and spades to use for making a firebreak to stop the fire from spreading. A break is a clean strip of land where there is nothing that can burn. The shovels and rakes can also be used to remove dry grass and twigs that can burn easily. It can also be useful to put out the fire with sand or soil. 
• Rucksack pumps can be used to wet plants and grass. They can also be useful when checking for flare-ups after the fire has been put out. 
• A trailer with a water tank that can be hooked behind a tractor or bakkie if possible. Make sure the water containers are filled with water. A small power source with a pump that can spray water is also handy.
• A fire extinguisher. There are different sizes and types available – powder, CO2 and foam.

SAFETY FIRST
Remember, safety is always the top priority during a wildfire. Stay calm and take appropriate precautions. Make sure your animals are safe and try to prevent the fire from spreading to the neighbours. Report the wildfire to the emergency services, fire protection association and neighbours as soon as possible.

Here are some other tips:

• Protective clothing is important. Garments such as boots, helmets and gloves are designed to protect those who are fighting the fire. Respiratory personal protective equipment (PPE) will protect firefighters from inhaling smoke and chemical substances generated by the fire. 
• Communication is key while fighting a raging fire. You must be aware of what the fire is doing at all times. This can be done through your local two-way radio system or social media groups. If you are trapped, use your communication system to let people know what is happening and report your location. If possible, use a light to help people find you. 
• Good advice when fighting fires in areas with dry grass and vegetation, is to ‛keep one foot in the black. This means those fighting the fire should escape back into the burned (black) area for a safety zone. 
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, as this will help your body cope with the extreme heat. 

REFERENCES
https://afriforum.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Veldbrandwenke.pdf
https://grainsa.co.za/alles-wat-jy-wou-weet-oor-veld--en-bosbrande
https://www.pranafm.com/how-to-prevent-veld-fires/#:~:text=Prepare%20fire%20breaks%20on%20their,cigarette%20buds%20on%20the%20ground

It is the responsibility of every landowner to have knowledge of the National Veld and Forest Fire Act. Click on the link for more information.

Publication: April 2024

Section: Pula/Imvula