AfriForum Alerts: Increased Fire Danger This Weekend in Northern Areas

Johannesburg – AfriForum has urged communities in the northern part of the nation to stay vigilant due to the forecasted extreme temperatures this weekend.

The fire danger index is currently set to red for the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West, signaling that conditions are particularly favorable for the outbreak and rapid spread of wildfires.

Hot, dry, and windy weather can swiftly ignite wildfires, which can lead to extensive destruction and pose serious threats to safety.

“AfriForum encourages everyone to act responsibly and be prepared, as well as to notify their local fire protection association and fire service about any wildfires,” stated Tarien Cooks, Disaster Management Specialist at AfriForum, on Friday, August 22, 2025.

“Wildfires can escalate into life-threatening emergencies within minutes, and the damage is often irreversible. Community collaboration is essential in reducing this risk.”

AfriForum has called upon communities and landowners to act responsibly and follow these guidelines:

• Avoid lighting open fires: Fires should only be ignited in designated areas such as braai spots.
• Limit welding and grinding activities in open fields: If necessary, ensure that sufficient fire extinguishing equipment is available on-site. Sparks from machinery can easily ignite wildfires.
• Be prepared for fire emergencies: Landowners should ensure their personnel and firefighting equipment are ready to respond quickly. Rapidly extinguishing a wildfire can avert major damage, so keep additional resources on standby.
• Maintain full water tanks: Ensure water tanks are kept filled for refilling purposes. If the area is prone to power outages, measures should be implemented to keep tanks filled.
• Safeguard homes and structures: Clear and trim vegetation surrounding homes, especially those with thatched roofs. Have hoses or spray equipment accessible to wet thatched roofs if a wildfire threatens the area.

The fire warning has also garnered support from the SA Weather Service.