Cape Winelands residents urged to bolster veld fire prevention efforts ahead of summer

As the summer season looms, residents in the Cape Winelands are being urged to take extra precautions to prevent veld fires.

The call comes from the district municipality's Chief Fire Officer, Wayne Josias, who stresses the importance of community effort in fire safety.

On World Fire Safety Day, Josias advised that landowners must identify fire hazards around their properties and take the necessary precautions to prevent runaway fires.

He specifically mentioned that certain plant species, such as Wattle and Port Jackson, are high in resin and therefore highly flammable.

Josias issued a strong warning about the potential for human error to spark devastating blazes.

“Wildfire safety is a community effort, a small decision like improperly extinguishing a cigarette or leaving a campfire unattended can have devastating consequences,” he stated.

Authorities are appealing to all residents to be vigilant and responsible during the drier, warmer months to protect the region's environment and communities.