Page 23 - Landscape SA 102

ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURE

Osteospermum moniliferum on the urban edge of a housing estate in Hout Bay

FIRE MANAGEMENT

Text by Carol Knoll
Photographs (opposite) by
Charl Steenkamp of NCC

Dean Ferreira, managing director of NCC Environmental Services, related that his company
provided fire management services and had teams of ground based firefighters in the Western
Cape, dealing largely with mountain wildfires. These teams were trained by highly experienced
firefighters, including instructors from the USA to meet American standards. NCC has a women
only crew, named the Juliet Team. Crews are contracted to SANParks, CapeNature and District
Fire Brigades, along with private clients. All firefighters in the Western Cape work within tight
parameters and further amendments are, at present, in place in the White Paper of the National
Veld and Forest Fire Act.

nvasive alien species such as pines, these embers (even one lone ember) can owners. Ferreira says that firebreaks are
gums, hakea and Port Jackson, some of ignite other fires. Invasive plant species often not that successful in stopping a
Iwhich have highly volatile oils, are the are constantly being removed by Working fire but a 20m (rule-of-thumb) firebreak
biggest danger in a wildfire, commented for Water, along with other environmental is necessary, for example, to start a back-
Ferreira. He spoke about the factor of high programmes, and hacking groups burn. Getting people to understand that
winds which are notoriously problematic comprising private individuals... but more carefully devised, prescribed burns which
in the Cape. The heat of wildfires also needs to be done. NCC carries out for ecological purposes
creates wind, and hot summer days add are part of the winning recipe. Defensible
to the problems. Ferreira emphasised that Landowners that border on the wild/urban space and firescaping, including ‘fire
hazardous ember storms of dry debris interface are required by law to eradicate pools’, should be part of the planning for
can be carried by gusts of wind over long invaders from their properties. Trained the built environment which is adjacent to
distances, sometimes more than 1km, and educators explain the risks to property the natural environment.

Landscape SA • Issue 102 2021 21