Western Cape seeks more funds from government for wildfires
The Western Cape government has approached national government to declare a provincial state of disaster, following several massive fires.
Firefighters battle the Pringle Bay fires on 31 January 2024. Picture: X/@wo_fire
CAPE TOWN - Western Cape Local Government and Environmental Affairs MEC Anton Bredell says he hopes the call for the Provincial State of Disaster declaration will be heeded swiftly to unlock funds to help fire victims.
The provincial government has approached the national Disaster Management Centre to declare a State of Disaster in the Western Cape, following several devastating fires.
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Firefighters have been battling multiple fires across the province since last month.
Local government and environmental affairs MEC Anton Bredell said they applied to national government to declare the province as a disaster.
"The reason for that is it will give the Premier the opportunity as the executive authority to make quick decisions for funding where necessary, as well as resources."
Bredell also called for calm heads to prevail while fire crews tried to extinguish the fires.
"We've got enough resources on hand, there's no need for panic. We've got enough people to relieve the firefighters. The Working for Fire programme has 500 people on standby to replace our firefighters if fatigue is creeping in."