Extreme heat: High risk fire season - Public urged to be cautious | Western Cape Government

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Extreme heat: High risk fire season - Public urged to be cautious

8 February 2004
Statement By Cobus Dowry Minister Of Local Government And Responsible For Disaster Management

High Risk Fire Season - Public Once Again Urged To Be Extremely Cautious With Open Fires

As the Department of Local Government coordinates Disaster Management in the Western Cape, we are once again obliged to call on the public to be extremely cautious when working with open fires.

From beginning December to end of March the Western Cape is in a high risk fire season, which is aggravated by the current weather conditions with extremely hot days and strong winds.

We live in an environment where devastating fires destroy structures in whole communities and where one wrong move by an individual destroy the living environment of man and animal.

In most cases, the negligent use of candles, paraffin and gas stoves, careless throwing away of cigarette butts are to blame for fires and a more responsible and more vigilant approach are now necessary.

On behalf of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape and on behalf of fire-fighters, those employed by our municipalities and those who are volunteers in communities, I want to call on each and every individual in this province to consider their actions and to consider the consequences of neglect.. Only through caution can we avoid possible disasters as one life lost due to fire is one life to many.

Enquiries: Jan Bosman
Cell: 083 775 5312

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