
October to April is wildfire season in the Western Cape. The Tatler met with Ashley Bauer, Chairperson of the Winelands Fire Protection Association (WFPA), to talk about wildfire awareness.
We started by asking him what Fire Protection Associations are. He explained that, “FPAs are formed and governed under the National Veldfire Act (Act 101 of 1998) as voluntary associations of landowners who wish to cooperate for the purpose of predicting, preventing, managing and extinguishing veldfires.”
The WFPA is an umbrella organization that offers a comprehensive community service to prevent fires and assist in their management, as well as that of possible other natural disasters. Locally, fire coordination is achieved through the Franschhoek Conservancy in conjunction with the WFPA.
Ashley is also the Planning Section Chief of the WFPA. His role includes: compilation of the incident management plan for the operational period, tracking of resources deployed at the incident, situational updates, mapping the fire and predicting possible weather changes, etc.
All landowners, both state and private, are responsible and accountable for adherence to the Veld Fire Act. State landowners are mandated to be members of FPAs. Private landowners can voluntarily join the FPAs.
The Winelands Fire Protection Association provides guidance and information to all landowners in terms of what is recommended to ensure that fire prevention strategies are in place. Ashley stresses that prevention is better than cure.
Municipal and District authorities are the primary responders to fire incidents – municipal fire services for structural/house fires and district fire services for veld/wildfires. The services do however assist each other when required. FPA members and members of the local agricultural association readily respond to fires on farms.
Over the past eleven years Franschhoek has had three major mountain fires. This fire season Franschhoek has already experienced two farm fires and three in disadvantaged communities.
As with all fires, prompt notification is the key to mitigating the effects of wildfires. The WFPA has numerous groups which are divided into geographical areas. Franschhoek is a ward within the Stellenbosch Fire Management Unit.
Major multi-day fires are managed through an ICS (Incident Command System) by the appointed incident commander. This is a provincial standard with all sections’ chiefs accredited by means of an international certificate.
The Winelands District is the only district with a fire service which includes appointed ground teams and helicopters dedicated to the district. Large-scale initial response is essential. Quick notification and swift reporting is the key to effective assistance. Loss of life and livelihood could result from a delay in posting or answering concerns expressed about fires.
Ashley would like to thank the Landbouvereniging, Farmers’ Union, Franschhoek Conservancy and the many volunteers, who stay until the very end when large fires break out, for their dedication and assistance.
Report wildfires to the Cape Winelands District Fire Services at (021) 877 4446.
Report structural/house fires to the Stellenbosch Fire Services at (021) 808 8888.
www.winelandsfpa.co.za
Text: Rene de Reuck | Image: Facebook