Staff Reporter.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and Working on Fire-Kishugu Joint Venture (WOF-Kishugu JV) in Limpopo, has officially started preparations for the winter fire season.
The preparation will be done through the Yellow Card Training Assessments to mentally and physically prepare its firefighters in the province.
Working on Fire (WOF) in Limpopo has reported an overwhelming loss of over 1153.528 hectares of vegetation to wildfires since the onset of 2024, intensifying concerns ahead of the impending winter fire season.
WOF-Kishugu JV Limpopo spokesperson, Ofentse Letswalo said over 500 firefighters stationed at 26 bases in the province will participate in the training at their bases.
“Thus far, Mogalakwena; Molemole; Mapungubwe; Tzaneen and Soekmekaar have successfully completed their Yellow Card Training Assessments and are considered ready and prepared for the winter fire season,” Letswalo said.
According to Letswalo, the province is expecting a busy fire season compared to previous years.
Letswalo said, climate change has fuelled an alarming escalation in wildfire incidents.
“With April 2024 marking the hottest month on record, we are witnessing an unprecedented strain on our natural ecosystems, as confirmed by leading scientists in the field.”
Letswalo said that the continuous rise in global temperatures, as documented by scientists for the 11th consecutive month, underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate the risk of wildfires.
He added the winter fire season starts from June to October, annually, however, WOF Limpopo has already dispatched ground teams to suppress over 30 wildfires.
“The firefighters attached to the Working on Fire Limpopo will be assessed in specialised firefighting techniques, theoretical knowledge, snake identification, and awareness during the yellow card training. The training will also include WOF standard fitness, which involves a 2.4km run; press-ups; sit-ups, and pull-ups within a set timeframe,” Letswalo said.
Celebrating 20 years of sustainability, the Working on Fire Programme is part of the South African Government’s initiative to create jobs and alleviate poverty.
To date, WOF employs more than 5000 young men and women, who have been fully trained as veld firefighters and are stationed in over 200 bases throughout South Africa.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.