Image related to website content

CapeNature Urges the Public to Report Fire and Smoke on Sight

13 Oct 2023

From April 2022 to March 2023 CapeNature responded to 70 wildfires which burned nearly 28 000 hectares compared to 87 fires burning almost 30 000 hectares in the same period in 2021 and 2022. CapeNature was able to contain 28.6% of fires where less than 10 hectares were burned and 64.2% where less than 100 hectares were burned. These results are only possible due to the collaborative effort of the Provincial Disaster Management, District and Local Municipalities, Fire Protection Associations, the Working on Fire Programme, Volunteer Wildfire Services and other fire contractors, neighbouring landowners, and the public.

Maintaining the low area burned is a significant accomplishment for CapeNature and its excellent partner relations where the collaborative effort of the Large-Scale Rapid Initial Attack Approach (LASRIA) is effective. Using this approach, all fires are responded to promptly and are fought with all available resources and personnel. The response is handled in such a way that the fire does not become an extended duration fire, lasting multiple days requiring many resources.

According to Dr Razeena Omar, CEO of CapeNature, “The public’s role in the success of the Large Scale Rapid Initial Attack should not be underestimated and cannot be emphasised enough. Fire agencies and their partners can only respond to a fire when it is brought to their attention. By alerting the relevant authorities quickly, we can respond to a fire before it becomes larger, increasing the chances of success, saving money, infrastructure and potentially even lives. LASRIA can mean the difference between minor damage and total devastation. I encourage people to save emergency numbers where it can be accessed easily. We appeal to the public to report smoke and fire the moment it is detected.”

CapeNature appeals to every person to do their part by practicing fire safety as we enter the warmer, drier months. Open fires, especially during hot, dry windy days, are a common cause of uncontrolled fires. This can be prevented by using only designated fireplaces and facilities, never leaving a burning or smouldering fire unattended, avoiding starting a fire when it is hot and dry and to not start fires next to roads and passes.

Of the fires responded to by CapeNature in the 2022/23 fire season, only 44,6% started on CapeNature protected areas with the remaining 65.4% ignited in mountain catchment areas and on private land. A total of 54,5% of fires were started by people, either through negligence or on purpose (braai and warming fires, fireworks, negligent and intentional ignitions), 10,4% started by mechanical means (machinery, heavy vehicles, cars, trains, welding, weapons, brush cutters, powerlines) and 1,3% through prescribed burning practices.

CapeNature manages more than 800 000 hectares of protected areas in the Western Cape of which most is part of the Cape Floral Region World Heritage Site. The Greater Cape Floristic Region is recognised as one of the most special places in the world for plants due to the diversity, density and number of endemic plant and animal species. These protected areas conserve the outstanding ecological, biological, and evolutionary processes associated with the distinctive vegetation, unique to region.

Fynbos plants, such as proteas, need fire to stimulate them to release their seeds which then germinate into new plants. However, many fynbos plants need more time to mature and set seed between fires and may be eliminated from these protected areas because of increased fire frequencies.

Fire can have a devastating effect on our natural resources and CapeNature appeals to the public to play their part in protecting our unique and special biodiversity. Dial 112 from a cell phone or 10177 from a landline to report smoke or fire.

Share:

Related News

BOCMA Capacity building Rhett Smart
3 Jul 2025 by Rhett Smart
BOCMA and CapeNature join forces to build capacity for sustainable water use

On 8 May 2025 a capacity building event was held at the Barn Owl Conference Venue in Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve provided by the Breede Olifants Catchment Management Agency (BOCMA) to CapeNature staff from Landscape South and Central. BOCMA are responsible for implementing the National Water Act (NWA) within the Breede and Gouritz catchments, which regulates water use. A similar event was held in Oudtshoorn with the Landscape East staff on 23 May 2025. Water is an essential natural resource that requires responsible management to ensure the sustainability of the resource both for human use and ecological function.

Marine Dynamics crowned winner of the ATTA Marine Impact Award Image 1
1 Jul 2025
Marine Dynamics crowned winner of the ATTA® Marine Impact Award

Marine Dynamics Shark and Whale Tours has been honoured with the ATTA® Marine Impact Award during the Experience Africa Travel Conference in London on 23 June 2025. The award recognises organisations making a tangible difference in protecting Africa’s marine and coastal environments while fostering long-term community benefits.

Conservation Review 2025 Group Image
27 Jun 2025
Conservation Review 2025 highlights Western Cape’s biodiversity and conservation resilience and adaptability

CapeNature showcased its significant achievements in conservation operations and exceptional biodiversity protection over the past year.

The central message throughout the event and central to the theme was an emphasis on the successful partnerships the Entity has cultivated with stakeholders. Many of these partners were also in attendance, showcasing delivery on collaborative projects. The Entity relies on the productive co-operation of many partners to successfully execute its mandate in the Western Cape.

De Hoop Nature Reserve Bontebok
26 Jun 2025
2025 State of Conservation Report highlights progress and priorities in protecting Western Cape biodiversity

CapeNature launched the 2025 State of Conservation Report this morning at its annual Conservation Review, offering a clear, evidence-based view of the Western Cape’s biodiversity and how conservation efforts are measuring up.

Key themes emerging from the report include sustained efforts to build biodiversity resilience in the face of climate change, the value of strategic partnerships, and the growing integration of monitoring data into planning and policy.

20160529 072239 W12 1921
19 Jun 2025
A Win for Renosterveld Conservation as Haarwegskloof Declared a Provincial Nature Reserve

In a major victory for biodiversity conservation, Haarwegskloof, which includes the largest remaining connected stretch of renosterveld left on Earth has officially been declared a provincial nature reserve.

The reserve is owned by WWF South Africa and managed by the Overberg Renosterveld Trust (ORT), a non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting and restoring the fragile renosterveld ecosystem that once covered large parts of the Overberg.

Tegansmithphotography damaratrail 8
12 Jun 2025
Damara Trail Wins Silver Award at International Tourism Film Festival Africa 2025

CapeNature is proud to announce that its Damara Trail video series has won the Silver Award in the Tourism – Products category at the prestigious International Tourism Film Festival Africa (ITFFA) 2025.

CapeNature’s videos stood out for their compelling storytelling, visual excellence, and ability to capture the essence of nature-based tourism in the Western Cape.

“We are incredibly proud that the Damara Trail videos have been recognised on an international platform. This award helps to underline our commitment to sustainable tourism offerings. Much like the Damara Trail itself, the video helps to tell the unique history and story of the Waenhuiskrans area to visitors both far and near,” said Sheraaz Ismail, Executive Director: Eco-Tourism and Access.