GEORGE NEWS - Cobus Meiring of SCLI (Southern Cape Landowners Initiative) interviewd Gerhard Otto, Manager: Emergency Services/MDMC, on risks associated with invasive alien vegetation and wild fire management.
Leaving a trail of destruction, devastating fires, driven by a strong berg wind and soaring temperatures, recently ripped through several places in the region. Not only did residents lose their homes and their entire belongings, nature also suffered a blow with precious renosterveld, wetlands, bird sanctuaries and fynbos destroyed.
The value attached to the destruction of property in Hoekwil and Wilderness alone is estimated to be in excess of R40-million. The question begs: could the region be better prepared to deal with wildfire, or can we expect more of the same in years to come?
Cobus Meiring of SCLI (Southern Cape Landowners Initiative) interviewed Gerhard Otto, Manager: Emergency Services/MDMC, on risks associated with invasive alien vegetation and wild fire management.
CM: We know that Eden Disaster Management (EDM) recognises invasive alien plants in the Southern Cape as a major contributor to fire risk exposure in the area. To what extent do you think invasive alien plants contributed to the destruction caused by the recent fires?
GO: Berg wind and soaring temperatures are unavoidable natural phenomena, and they are key factors in spreading wildfire. However, the ferocity of wildfire can be reduced significantly through a reduction in biomass associated with high densities of invasive alien plants.
Berg wind conditions dry out biomass and reduce the moisture levels in all plants, making them susceptible to severely hot fires. In addition, in areas where you find dense stands of IAPs, you will always find dead and dry plant material on the ground, which serves as tinder for an inferno.
In fires driven by strong berg wind conditions, coupled with high temperatures, basically anything (including indigenous plants and forests) will burn.
The prevalence of invasive alien plants in the entire region is a grave cause of concern. Because of the densities of biomass provided by invasive alien plants (pines, wattles, rooikrans, Port Jackson), fires are fuelled to levels that are so severe that they become uncontrollable.
CM: Areas such as Wilderness Heights have unacceptably high levels of invasive alien plants, and a wildfire such as we have recently experienced will have much more severe consequences had it occurred there. Yet, despite the clear and present risk to their lives and properties, landowners are indifferent to clearing their land. What would you ascribe this complacency to?
GO: There are landowners who really do their best to clear their land of invasives, but we think others either do not have the means to clear their land, or do not comprehend the severity of wildfire and the predicament they create for themselves and their communities by failing to control invasive alien plants on their land.
CM: Do Eden and George municipalities have strategies in place to engage with communities on invasive alien plant management and control?
GO: Eden District, as well as all the local municipalities, have invasive alien plant management strategies in place, but landowners remain responsible for what grows on their land, and have to comply with the relevant legislation. Eden District Disaster Management intends to increase levels of awareness of the danger posed by invasives among landowners, especially in areas where we know exposure levels are high.
Supported by the Table Mountain Fund, SCLI is a public platform for landowners with an interest in the control and eradication of invasive alien plants in the Southern Cape.
Click here for more articles about the recent fires:
- Wilderness a sitting duck
- Donations needed for fire victims
- Arson case investigated
- Heatherlands asks for wider fire break
- Nog 'n brand in George
- Fires cause loss and damage across George
- Dele van George steeds onder digte rook
- Fires in and around George under control
- Vuur woed steeds in dele van George
- Update: George fires
- Update: Houses on fire
- Firemen battle George fires
- Inwoners vlug terwyl brande woed
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