Fire season is approaching, and the message is clear: prevention starts at home! This was the message at the launch of the Western Cape Fire Awareness Campaign at Hawston Thusong Centre on 20 October.
Under the theme “Resilience Starts at Home”, learners, emergency services, government departments and community partners came together to share practical ways to prevent fires, protect lives and prepare for the hot, dry months ahead.
With Master of Ceremonies Deputy Fire Chief Angelo Aplon setting the tone, the event got off to a lively start with a short street parade of emergency vehicles, their red and blue lights flashing through the streets of Hawston. Passionate about the work of firefighters and always keeping to the beat of the drum, Angelo kept the energy going as fire safety took centre stage.
The campaign aims to improve community preparedness, promote responsible fire use and reduce wildfire risks through education, prevention and cooperation. It also highlights the influence of El Niño on fire risk.
Prepare, prevent and protect
Western Cape Disaster Management Deputy Director Etienne du Toit, reminded residents that fire prevention is everyone’s responsibility. Fires can destroy homes and possessions, cause serious injuries and cost lives. His message was simple: the best fire is one that never starts.
Overstrand Municipality Fire Chief Lester Smith reinforced this with three key principles:
- Prepare,
- Prevent and
He explained that fire needs heat, fuel and oxygen to burn, and that controlling one of these elements can help prevent a fire.
Residents were urged to keep matches and lighters away from children, avoid overloading electrical cables and never throw cigarette butts from vehicle windows. Property owners should also check for fire hazards and ensure that emergency vehicles can reach their properties.
Chief Smith stressed that every household should have an emergency plan and know what to do if a fire breaks out or evacuation becomes necessary. Residents should raise the alarm, warn others and get to safety rather than trying to be a hero themselves. Smoke inhalation can be deadly, even when flames are not nearby.
Fires and other emergencies can be reported to Overstrand Municipality’s Emergency Contact Centre on 028 312 2400.
A fire that kept burning underground
The Camphill School and Farm Community, where adults with intellectual disabilities enjoy quality of life and meaningful work, was severely affected by the 2019 fire that spread through their part of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and into the nearby Onrus Wetland. The fire burned for a prolonged period in the wetland’s ancient peat, with underground heat remaining long after the visible flames had disappeared.
The peatland is approximately 10 500 years old and is one of the oldest and deepest known peatlands in South Africa. Temperatures of up to 330°C have been recorded underground, while peat in some areas reaches depths of 7.25 metres. Smoke from the fire affected air quality and the health of people in the surrounding area, including the school community, and learners had to be temporarily relocated.
The experience highlighted why preparation, early reporting and cooperation between emergency services and communities are so important.
The Camphill Farm Community drummers also performed at the launch. Head drummer Bevil Spence spoke about how drumming can help people relieve stress and connect through rhythm and their own heartbeat. Never one to miss a beat, Mayor Klaas joined them on stage for a drumming session. Businesses and organisations interested in their drumming sessions can contact Michelle van Zyl at michellevz@camphill-hermanus.org.za.
Community safety goes beyond fire prevention
Overstrand Municipality’s Thusong Coordinator, Ronel Salies, addressed gender-based violence (GBV), reminding the audience that both women and men can experience abuse and that everyone has a responsibility to help prevent it, just as everyone has a role to play in fire prevention.
She also explained how serious emergencies, including rape and assault, can be reported through the Overstrand Collab Citizen App. Users can select the location pin and choose the relevant incident type to alert the Municipal Contact Centre, which can arrange emergency assistance where needed. The app is intended for serious emergencies and does not yet support reporting emotional abuse.
Ms Makama and Mr Matinka from Social Development discussed the GBV Ambassador Programme and the social issues associated with fires. He praised Overstrand’s library holiday programmes for keeping children occupied with constructive activities and highlighted the dangers of children playing with matches or deliberately starting fires.
Belinda May, librarian at Hawston Library, encouraged residents to make use of their local libraries and the Cool Spaces initiative, which was introduced to provide relief to library users during periods of extreme heat associated with El Niño. She encouraged learners to make use of libraries as safe spaces to study and prepare for examinations. Library staff are also involved in community outreach and can help residents access the appropriate support services when needed.
Hawston Primary School principal Neil Pedro reminded learners that fire is not always destructive and negative, as it can also provide light and warmth. He encouraged them to be a positive light in their communities and wished them well with their upcoming examinations.
Understanding El Niño and reducing fire risk
CapeNature’s Natanya Dreyer involved the audience in an interactive discussion about El Niño and how it can contribute to hotter, drier conditions that increase the risk and intensity of fires.
Preparations for the fire season include school awareness sessions, door-to-door fire prevention campaigns and community fire safety education. Fuel-load reduction and community clean-up activities are also planned in identified high-risk areas, with the Kleinmond and Walker Bay teams involved. These efforts aim to reduce fire hazards and limit the spread of wildfires.
Learners also took part in an El Niño Fire Awareness Poster Competition coordinated by Hawston Library. Their posters focused on El Niño, wildfire risk and environmental responsibility. Executive Mayor Alderman Archie Klaas announced the winners at the end of the event.
Working together for a safer fire season
The launch brought together a range of partners, including the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association (goFPA), Working on Fire, CapeNature, SANBI (South African National Biodiversity Institute), ambulance services, Overstrand Municipality’s Fire and Rescue Services, Traffic Services, Law Enforcement, Overstrand/Cape Whale Coast Tourism and Environmental & Conservation Management, as well as community organisations such as Overstrand Wheel Chair Association and OAPD, schools, conservation agencies and other stakeholders.
Overstrand Executive Mayor, Alderman Archie Klaas said while emergency services play a vital role, residents also have a part to play by taking precautions, keeping properties clear of potential fire hazards, knowing which number to call and reporting fires as soon as they are spotted.
“As the region prepares for the hot and dry months ahead, the message is clear: prepare, plan and prevent. Fire prevention starts at home, and keeping Overstrand safe is everyone’s responsibility,” he concluded.
