Cape Town’s annual fire season usually runs from November to May annually, a period marked by dry and windy conditions that leave the city particularly vulnerable to wildfires. However, with three separate fires breaking out late last month, experts are concerned that this year’s season may have arrived earlier than expected.
Speaking to VOC News, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse provided insight into the city’s fire readiness and shared key safety reminders for residents.
Reflecting on the winter months, Carelse said: “I think with the winter months, obviously there’s a downscaling of vegetation fires, but then there’s an uptick in informal and formal settlement fires, and we had quite a few. It hasn’t been as alarming as in previous years, but with the fire stations located in various areas, especially the most vulnerable communities, we ensure service delivery for each and every one.”
Winter tends to bring fewer overall incidents, but informal settlements remain particularly at risk. When asked about preventative strategies, Carelse explained: “
Definitely, there’s a collaborative effort with Disaster Risk Management, Informal Settlements Management, and other entities like Kindling, which is community-based. We go into the community because they are the people that suffer; they know where the hotspots are, so we target those.”
He added: “We’ve got our fire educators that go out, Disaster Risk Management as well, so we educate people. Education is there, but people must take it to heart. It’s not every day we can go out and preach the gospel. You, as an individual, as an adult, are ultimately responsible for your own safety.”
The City of Cape Town continues to monitor high-risk areas closely and urges residents, especially in informal settlements, to remain vigilant and follow fire safety guidelines to prevent further incidents.
Listen to the interview below:
VOC News
Photo: Pixabay
