Assessing the Risk of Veldfires

South Africa has, on several occasions, witnessed devastating veld fires that have cost the insurance industry billions of Rands. In 2017, a devastating firestorm in the southern Cape engulfed large parts of Knysna, Brenton-on-Sea and parts of Plettenberg Bay, destroying many properties in its wake and leaving behind almost 10 000 people evacuated and seven deaths.

Uncontrolled veld fires pose a serious risk to human life, livestock and the general environment. Educating people and giving them the know-how of what can accelerate and increase the intensity of veld fires can assist in reducing their impact.

Factors likely to cause a veld fire

There are several factors that cause veld fires, but most are started by humans for various reasons such as:

• Reckless disposal of lit cigarette stubs.
• Smoking out of bees for honey harvesting.
• Lighting fires at road servitudes while waiting for early morning buses.
• Land clearing.
• Hunting.
• Deliberate lighting of fires/arson.

In this discussion, we look at things that increase the risk and impact of veld fires.

Road networks

Roads are constructed for ease of movement for people and vehicles, by providing access to areas, especially where there are emergencies. When there is a veldfire, we need to evacuate the area, allow emergency and trained personnel to access the area to fight the fires. Roads play an important role in ensuring smooth, speedy access and evacuation.

Entry and exit roads

The number of roads that enter or exit an area are critical as they can limit or increase movement of people and vehicles. The lesser they are, can delay fire trucks coming in and people trying to vacate the area. It is important to note entry and exit roads and they must remain clear with no obstruction.

Ease of entry or exit your property

How one organises their things in their property should always allow for ease of access or exit to the property. Your family should be able to vacate the house as quickly as possible. When a fire starts in a household at night, everyone in the house should know where the keys to the exits are in case of an emergency. There must be enough escape routes and they should not be obstructed by furniture and other items in the house. Remember to keep all important documents together in an easily accessible area, so that in case of a fire, you should be able to grab them and escape safely.

Road width

The width of the road should be sufficient for vehicles to pass. Narrow roads limit movement of vehicles especially emergency vehicles. There should be “points of recovery”, that is areas where emergency vehicles can turn and manoeuvre. The recommended width of points of recovery is 9m. When we design our settlement areas, it is important that we consider the width of the road between houses. Any delays in allowing emergency vehicles to access the area leads to the spread of veld fires.

Road condition

Many of licensed drivers are not used to driving on gravel roads. Gravel roads have their challenges as some areas may not be levelled. Such challenges contribute to a reduced driving speed especially when it has rained. When living in areas where there are gravel roads, ensure that they are constantly levelled and maintained to ensure that emergency vehicles are not delayed when there is a fire. We also must drive safely and slowly on those unlevelled roads as speeding may cause accidents and further delay evacuation from the area. This may add to the crisis whilst dealing with the veldfire.

Fire extinguishers and hoses

Areas around municipal firehoses found alongside the road and fire extinguishers must not be obstructed. Firehoses are used by Fire brigades to connect for additional water to fight veld fires. Parking next to or blocking the firehose or extinguishers lead to delays in responding to veld fires, allowing them to cause more damage.

Road signs

Road signs are placed in specific areas to guide drivers where to go and what to expect on the road ahead. In following road signs, we can arrive at our destination quicker and safely. Without road signs, we might be delayed by taking wrong turns and even not knowing if there is a dangerous spot ahead. Emergency personnel may not know the area well and rely on road signs. To allow for quick response of emergency vehicles, road signs needs to be in good condition and should not be vandalised.

Without proper road-signs you may be in a risky situation whereby in trying to evacuate or leave an area affected by veld fires trying to go to a safe place, you turn into a cul-de-sac unknowingly. This will delay you in trying to get to a safe place.

Assessing the risk around our properties

Vegetation that is adjacent to our properties can be a source of fuel and can increase the impact of fires. Vegetation found around our property like shrubs, grasses, bark, (especially if it is loose), dead leaves and twigs can add to the fire. Without additional fuels, the fire dies, however when such vegetation is left around our properties, the fire will grow in its intensity and spread quickly.

To minimise the risk, we need to cut dry grass, trim trees and place loose wood 10 meters away from our property.

Topographical features that negatively affect veld fires

Slopes affect the behaviour of fires. The fire run faster uphill than downhill because the flame length is closer to other fuelling objects. North facing slopes are warmer and are more prone to fires because they are exposed to the sun. North facing slopes temperatures are high and the fuels like wood etc. are dry, thus can easily ignite the fire.

Fire assembly points

As a community, you can agree on a fire assembly point. This is a safe area beyond your community boundaries or area affected by the veldfire. When there is fire, people can evacuate their properties and congregate at an agreed assembly point. The importance of an assembly point is for the community to identify if there are missing people to notify the emergency personnel to search for them.

What can we use to put out fires?

• Sand: By pouring sand to the fire, you are cutting off the oxygen and the fire will be put-out. Keeping a bucket of sand in your yard can help in an emergency.
• Fire Blanket: Fire blanket is a sheet of a fire-retardant material which is placed over a fire in order to smother it. Always keep a fire blanket in your property.
• Fire Extinguisher: These are common and are very important in fighting fires. Always ensure that your fire extinguisher is serviced regularly, and you know how to use it.
• Fire Breaks: You can create fire breaks by digging shallow trenches around the perimeter of property. When digging fire breaks you remove other objects that may fuel the fire and it will not spread easily to other areas. In farm areas, larger firebreaks are required as the areas are open and prone to runaway fires.

Insurance products that we can take to assist us in the event of veld fires

We can take insurances for our property and household to assist us in the event that a veldfire cannot be prevented and they can consequently destroy them. Proper insurance will ensure that we get back on our feet quicker by replacing the assets we may have lost in the fire.

The following are some of the insurance products that you can take:

• Homeowner/ Building Cover: This insurance covers the building and other thing that are permanent and immovable within your property boundaries including parameter walls, garage and gate and the motors that power them, outbuildings, swimming pool and/or borehole and associated pumps, and all the fixtures and fittings in the house or flat itself.
• House Contents Cover: Contents includes your furniture, clothes, crockery, linen and other items in the house. By taking house-content insurance, you know that when you are affected by veld fires, the insurance will assist you by paying the cover amount on the policy
• All Risk Cover: It covers your other items that you take with, like your cell phones, cameras etc. It will come in handy if any of these items are damaged by veld fires away from your home.
• Public Liability Cover: This insurance covers any form of liability to the policyholder. As a homeowner, you may make a mistake and leave burning fire outside at night. During the night the wind blow and the fire spread to neighbouring’ properties. Should they be successful in proving that you were negligent and hold you liable for their losses, personal liability cover will then assist you against the lawsuits.

Below is a list of more measures one can take to prevent veld fires;

• Owners of thatched houses must take all necessary precautions such as installing drenchers, using fire blankets and having fire extinguishers at hand.
• Investing in well-maintained firefighting equipment (such as petrol/diesel-powered water pumps).
• Creating a veldfire plan, covering the eventualities of both staying and defending property or leaving it ahead of the veldfire.
• Restricting the use of farm machinery on days when the fire danger is high.
• Being extra careful when using welding, cutting and grinding equipment.
• Training staff in firefighting techniques and safety standards for burning rubbish and disposing of hot ash.
• Learning to recognise the weather conditions associated with high fire danger: temperature, wind speed/direction and humidity.