GEORGE NEWS - Permits for controlled burns outside the urban edge in the George municipal area will again be issued from Monday 2 March.
George fire chief Neels Barnard said the official fire season for the Garden Route District ended on 29 February, which effectively means permits for controlled burns for the purposes of fuel load reduction would again be issued from today, Monday.
"We encourage owners and custodians of vegetation-covered land to make every effort to reduce the fuel load on their properties - not just because it is a legal requirement, but also for the overall fire safety of our city and region," said Barnard.
"Permits for controlled fires are usually issued until mid-November and property owners are required to ensure all controlled burns and fire breaks are completed by then."
He appeals to the public to continue be aware of general fire safety and awareness even though the official fire season is over for the purposes of fire permits. "We appeal to the public to always be fire aware, no matter what time of the year it is.
"Please exercise extreme caution at all times, make fires in protected and designated areas only, and dispose of cigarette butts safely. Burning of garden refuse in residential areas is illegal," said Mr Barnard.
Persons wanting to do controlled burns on their properties must visit the George Fire Department in Mitchell Street to fill in the application, pay the necessary fees and hand in a fire management plan if necessary. A fire inspector will visit the premises as soon as possible thereafter and, if all requirements are met, issue a permit.
A controlled burn permit is valid for 12 months from the date of issue but may not be used during the official fire season, which in the Western Cape is usually from November / December to February / March each year.
On the day of the planned controlled burn, the permit holder must phone the fire station for permission to light the controlled burn. Permission may be withheld if the Fire Index for the day is too high.
Controlled burns are only allowed Mondays to Thursdays and all fires must be extinguished by 16:00 every day.
Permits will not be issued inside the urban edge (among residential areas).
Useful contact numbers:
Fire emergencies only: 044 801 6311
All after-hours emergencies: 044 801 6300
General enquiries (office hours): 044 801 6300
Uniondale (office hours): 044 752 1225
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