Paarl Mountain prepared for fire season
2010-10-02
AS part of fire management on Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve, a 30m wide firebreak has been prepared running 10 kilometres from the southern boundary of the mountain reserve (near Seidelberg) to the north-eastern side of the mountain (Uitkyk and Sentech Tower). An additional firebreak will now be prepared along the urban edge, starting at Paarl Girls’ High and extending to Kloof Street where the Voortrekker camp is located, running behind the neighbouring homes. The break will have an average width of 50m and will be approximately 2 kilometres long. The break will be brush cut as to limit erosion. All material from both indigenous and invasive alien vegetation will be cut down and stacked towards the middle of the break Once completed, the break must be wide enough and long enough to have a reasonable chance of stopping the veldfire, not cause soil erosion and be reasonably free of inflammable material. The waste vegetation will be disposed of by burning the heaps when weather conditions allow and in conjunction with the fire brigade (neighbouring homeowners must close all windows and doors during this time as to avoid any smoke from entering houses). The municipality has appointed a private contractor, who specialises in this work, to complete the clearance and burning operations. The operation is planned for the period October to November, before the commencement of the peak fire season. This break is prepared mainly to protect homes along the mountain and neighbouring homeowners are therefore requested to be patient during this time. Once the break has been completed illegal dumping of especially garden refuge in these areas will be strictly monitored, for which a fine can be levied. No member of the public is allowed to start clearing on his or her own on municipal property or to extend his or her property boundary without prior approval by the landowner, which in this case is the Drakenstein Municipality. For further details, contact the Parks Section at 021-807-6301 or the Reserve office at 021-872-3658.
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