The annual Western Cape fire season has already started, with several large fires raging in the Darling and Cape Town areas in the past week. The Department of Local Government through its Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) is responsible for the co-ordination of support before, during and after disastrous incidents.
Anton Bredell, Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said: "The PDMC has developed a more pro-active strategy in dealing with this challenge in 2010/11 and, together with the city of Cape Town and the other district municipalities in the province have implemented a number of interventions which will ensure a more rapid response to veld and forest fire incidents."
These interventions include:
The Western Cape Provincial Disaster Management Centre is committed to ensuring a world class approach to dealing with veld and forest fires and informal settlement fires in order to avoid loss of life and limit the devastation of summer fires.
Colin Deiner
Cell: 082 550 6770
Jacqueline Pandaram
Cell: 083 440 9698