Vulnerability to elements hits home

This week’s raging fires near George have been a frightening reminder of how vulnerable SA is to the elements. In June last year Knysna was engulfed by fires in which seven people died. By Tuesday night, the death toll for this week’s inferno stood at nine. Karatara, a village lying north of Sedgefield between Knysna and George, was among those affected last year and it must have been terrifying for its residents to face a raging wall of fire again so soon. This time round about 1,000 people were evacuated from Karatara and – tragically – young children and their mothers were among those killed.

However, it is not only those who live in the path of the fires who are at risk.

Last year young Plettenberg Bay fireman Bradley Richards lost his life and this year Working on Fire pilot Nico Heyns died when his helicopter crashed near Riversdale while trying to extinguish a blaze there.

We, therefore, salute the legion of trained firefighters who are doing their utmost to contain the threat and keep citizens safe. They work in exhausting conditions which include suffocating smoke, intense heat and the threat of changing winds causing more sparks to catch light.

Then, once the fires are contained, there is the unglamorous, yet essential, task of mopping up.

More than a thousand firefighters and rescue workers were marshalled last year against the fires and the public opened its hearts to pour out help to the people of Knysna.

We hope people will respond with the same generosity of spirit to the families of Karatara.

Then, once the last embers have been extinguished, it will be time to look at how this region, known for its beautiful but extremely flammable forests, can adjust to future threats. Eradicating stands of alien trees, clearing felled brush and cutting firebreaks will no doubt be part of that.

Parastatals like Working on Fire must ensure their employees have accredited training and at all times the Basic Health and Safety Act provisions should be adhered to.

Even when the fires are gone, there will be plenty of work to be done.