Preparedness, communication vital in managing veld fires

ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK

Farmers should develop a fire management plan and adopt it in their farm management plan.

The plan should include fodder reserves for livestock if the forage resources are burned, advises Erastus Ngaruka, Agribank’s technical advisor for livestock and rangeland.

He says it is important that farmers prepare well in advance for veld fires by acquiring firefighting equipment and ensuring that they are accessible, ready, and functional.

Farm roads and fire breaks should also be well maintained, cleared and accessible in the event of firefighting.

“Most importantly, all persons must be well informed and trained in firefighting and lifesaving. Moreover, the neighbouring farmers and all relevant authorities should be informed. Thus, an effective communication channel should be established to ensure coordinated efforts.”

Ngaruka says veld fires, whether natural or man-made, are one of the recurrent factors that shape rangeland ecosystems.

Many farmers have negative perceptions about veld fires due to their dangerous and destructive nature.

“However, natural veld fire events serve a very important ecological function. For example, burning moribund materials to allow regrowth or tillering, stimulating seed germination by cracking seed coats, and largely maintaining vegetation structures in terms of spacing and balance (e.g., controlling bush encroachment).”

On the other hand, Ngaruka says that prescribed fires are planned for rangeland management purposes to mimic natural influences.

He says these types of fires can also become uncontrolled and devastating if poorly planned and managed.

Generally, natural veld fires are caused by lightning strikes, and mainly occur during the spring months or at the onset of the rainy season (September -November) when thunderstorms begin.

“Therefore, farmers should already prepare to avoid huge losses. In some parts of Namibia, fire activities have already started, and most of these unplanned or accidental fires can be attributed to human activities including charcoal production, campfires, cigarettes, vehicles, hunting and poaching activities, empty bottles or glass pieces that can magnify the sun’s heat and ignite dry grass.”

Success story

The joint fire team of the Otjiwarongo Neighbourhood Watch and Farmers' Association has already fought 45 veld fires on farms in the northern commercial agricultural area this year, limiting the fire damage to approximately 100 000 hectares.

Frans Holtzkamp, chief coordinator of this fire team, attributes their successes to excellent teamwork.

He highlighted four cornerstones that are important to their success.

Firstly, communication is indispensable and for this, two-way radios and repeaters are important.

Also, leadership requires one person to take the lead at a fire scene, while the correct firefighting equipment must be available such as fire beaters and water containers.

Lastly, aftercare is important after a fire has been extinguished, as fires often flare up again when the wind picks up.

Many of the fires that the team dealt with were caused by negligent conduct of individuals.

Among the causes were lawn mowers, graders, grinders, trains, charcoal burning and arson.

Fires from resettlement farms have so far been a major problem and will be discussed with the government. These farms do not have the necessary equipment, infrastructure, roads or water and firefighting can often only begin once the fire has grown and reached neighbouring farms.

Although the Otjiwarongo team’s area covers a radius of 100 km around the town, they have also helped with fires at Etosha and Khorixas.

Holtzkamp warned farmers’ associations to sharpen their preparedness for veld fires as this year there is an exceptionally high fire risk and there will be many more veld fires before the rainy season begins.

He can be contacted at any time by farmers’ associations who want to build on the success model of Otjiwarongo. His number is 081 240 6181.