Fire Safety Info
Despite its year-round lush green vegetation, the Garden Route is an EXTREME FIRE RISK AREA.
In June 2017, one of the worst wildfires on record in the Knysna region burned 15000 hectares – from Knysna to Sedgefield in the west, and to Plettenberg Bay in the east – destroying more than 800 buildings, 5000 hectares of forest plantations, and claiming the lives of seven people. Then, at the end of October 2018, another trail of destruction was left by the wildfires that spread across the Garden Route. Hundreds of people were evacuated as one of the country's biggest wildfires raged on‚ leaving a scar four times the size of the blaze that tore across Knysna the year before.
Wilderness escaped…but that means we carry a huge, unburnt fire fuel load which makes us even more susceptible to a wildfire outbreak. There are also many properties infested with fire-loving alien trees such as Pines, Black Wattle, Rooikrans and Port Jackson. WRRA would advise such property owners to remove alien vegetation before they contribute to the next massive fire and the loss of homes and lives.
Join your local Fire Management Unit as a volunteer and be kept up to date with fire prevention measures, fire safety information, etc. Some FMU volunteers help fight or contain small start-up fires so they do not become run-away wildfires before the Fire Department arrives. Other volunteers form groups to cut back verges or create fire breaks within their neighbourhoods. Others volunteer to guide traffic, help with evacuations or provide firefighters with food and water.
FMUs work closely with George Fire Department, Garden Route Fire and Emergency as well as the Wilderness-based Firstcare Wildfire Support, one of our largest and most active Wildfire Volunteer services. They have operated as a local NGO for nearly 10 years and served the community by saving lives, flora, fauna and property over this period.
DOWNLOAD OUR FIRE SAFETY PLAN!
To join your local FMU, contact Andre on 084 401 3006 and he will put you in touch with your area administrator.