Sleepless night for residents as veld catches fire
Veld-fire scares in Weltevreden Park: Residents appeal for control.
Weltevreden Park residents residing near the park on Jim Fouché Road had a sleepless night leading up to 9 August, as a result of an uncontrolled veld fire.
A concerned resident, Lesego Manala, told the Northsider that the fire had started mid-morning on 8 August, between Bergkaree Avenue and Jim Fouché Road, and spread towards the properties along the piece of land.
“It [the fire] spread to the space between the back of a row of houses and Jim Fouché Road overnight,” he said, adding that the fire was still smouldering in a large tree and some patches of land three days after fire-fighters had been dispatched to extinguish the blaze.
Read more: Prevent veld fires
“The EMS came to the site a day later and apparently didn’t do enough as the fire is still smouldering,” Manala complained. He said that no road or danger warning signs were erected when the fire kept spreading.“Wooden power and phone lines and perimeter walls next to each other are at risk if the tree stumps left to regrow next to the walls catch light,” Manala pointed out.
Besides the fire danger, Manala is also worried that a tall exotic tree which has been burning for days may fall and cause damage to the properties, or cars travelling along Jim Fouché Road.
“The area is lined with tall exotic trees and I am told they don’t last long and can’t withstand heavy wind, therefore they are a danger to residents’ perimeter walls, vehicles and pedestrians,” he explained.
He also suggested that an awareness campaign on fire control should be organised.
When interviewed, Robert Mulaudzi, the Joburg Emergency Management Services media liaison officer, warned residents not to engage in reckless activities which could result in veld fires.He urged residents to avoid the habit of hurling cigarette butts on the grass, especially during this time of the year.
“In winter the grass gets dry, so it is important for residents to avoid throwing down cigarette butts which are likely to cause a fire,” Mulaudzi said. He also pleaded with field workers to avoid making fires which do not only cause destruction to the City’s structures but also cause a risk to the lives of many.
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