Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
Question by:
Hon Andricus van der Westhuizen
Answered by:
Hon Anton Bredell
Question Number:
3
Question Body:
How do the (i) number of wild fires and (ii) total size of the natural veld that burned during the fire season up to mid-April 2023 compare with that of previous years and (b) what are the main reasons for the variation in the number of fires, as well as the size of the affected areas, when the last five fire seasons are compared?
Answer Body:
- Please refer to the attached Annexure A (i) & (ii) See Annexure A
- Longer rainy or wet periods facilitating fuel accumulation. Higher temperatures and longer dry periods resulting in dry fuel, facilitating fuel accumulation (through enhanced plant mortality and spread). Higher temperatures and more intense heatwaves resulting in dry fuel which in turn make fires more intense. Stronger winds resulting in fuel dry out, accelerate fire spread, facilitate ignition and ember spread. Proliferation of invasive species facilitating fuel accumulation and continuity. Lack of post fire rehabilitation efforts
Date:
Friday, May 19, 2023
Supporting Docs:
