Four provinces are facing extreme fire danger right now, here’s where and why

Fire danger warnings rarely stack up across four provinces on the same day.

But that’s exactly what’s happening right now as South Africa moves through the tail end of its dry winter season.

Where the fire danger warning currently stands

SAWS has issued extremely high fire danger warnings for the eastern parts of the Northern Cape, the southern parts of the Free State, and the northern parts of the Eastern Cape, specifically the Enoch Mgijima, Emalahleni and Senqu local municipalities.

The warning also covers the Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality in the North West.

Conditions like these typically build during South Africa’s dry winter months.

Low rainfall, dry vegetation and strong winds combine to create ideal fire-spreading conditions.

Fires aren’t always just about the weather

While today’s warnings are weather-driven, it’s worth knowing that not every veld fire in South Africa starts naturally.

Earlier this winter, North West Agriculture MEC Madoda Sambatha condemned a separate spate of veld and pasture fires across the province, warning that investigations pointed to many of them being deliberately started.

“The deliberate setting of veld fires is not only irresponsible but a criminal act that places our farmers, livestock, natural resources and food security at serious risk,” Sambatha said at the time.

South African law allows for prosecution of anyone found responsible for unlawfully starting a veld fire, with penalties including fines, imprisonment, or both.

What to actually do if you spot a fire

If you see a veld fire, report it immediately, either to your nearest Fire Protection Association, local municipality, by dialling 112 from any cellphone, or by calling 10177 for fire and rescue services from any phone.

Avoiding any activity that could spark a fire, from discarded cigarettes to uncontrolled burning, matters even more while these warnings remain in place.

It’s one thing dealing with dry weather, but knowing some fires get started on purpose makes the whole picture so much more hectic.

Do you think penalties for deliberately starting veld fires are tough enough as they stand?