Working on Fire (South Africa)

MEDIA RELEASE Wednesday, 25 December 2024 Christmas Blazes Ignite Heroic Action: Firefighters Battle Wildfires in Jongensfontein and Hermanus As the festive season heats up, so has the risk of wildfires across the Garden Route District in the Western Cape. Heroic firefighting efforts are in full swing as crews from the Working on Fire - Kishugu Joint Venture (WOF - Kishugu JV) are providing firefighting support to the Garden Route District Municipality and the Overstrand and Overberg Municipalities at Wildfires in Jongensfontein and Hermanus respectively. Responding to Hermanus Fires Deployed resources include: Fixed-Wing Spotters Two Helicopters Aerial Support Vehicles A 13-member firefighting team Ongoing Efforts in Jongensfontein The fire in Jongensfontein has persisted for five days, requiring reinforcements: Two Fixed-Wing Spotters Two Huey Helicopters A Water Bomber Crews are working tirelessly to protect lives, property, and the environment during this volatile fire season. A Call for Vigilance WOF urges the public to: Avoid open flames in high-risk areas. Report fires immediately to local authorities. Follow all safety advisories. As South Africa faces increasingly severe fire seasons due to climate change, WOF - Kishugu JV remains committed to safeguarding communities.m Ends Media Contact: For urgent interviews with WOF MD Trevor Abrahams or updates, contact: Ofentse Letswalo Phone: 076 910 2208 Email: Ofentse.Letswalo@wofire.co.za

Christmas is the time for giving, and the uMtshezi Fire Protection Association and N3TC – N3 Toll Concession (Pty) Ltd did just that. After their first fire season and a busy one at that, two firefighters from our uMtshezi Base in KwaZulu-Natal have been awarded full bursaries sponsored by N3TC. Sandile Ziqubu and Ntombininigi Vilakazi will study Fire Fighter 1, Fire Fighter 2, Hazmat Operations, and Fire Officer through Rural Metro Emergency Management Services. “These bursaries are changing lives that will go on to save lives,” said Base Manager Warren Blaker. Congratulations to our uMtshezi team for their dedication and achievements this year! Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)

Happy Day of Reconciliation!!

📺🔥🌍🚒 SABC News Interview: Extensive insights into challenges of this unprecedented wildfire season with Working on Fire - Kishugu JV Project Manager, Trevor Abrahams. Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Kishugu #SavingLives #ProtectingTheEnvironment #Making_A_Difference

🎥🎥🎥🎥Catch Working on Fire Kishugu Joint Venture's Project Manager, Trevor Abrahams live on eNCA this evening at 20H30. In a discussion on "Wildfires and the work that it takes to take out some of these fires this fire season." Tune in for more insight in this discussion. #SummerFireSeason #WOF_KishuguJV #SavingLives #ProtectingTheEnvironment #Making_A_Difference #ClimateChangeWarriors Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)

📃 Climate Care Wednesday: Climate Change & UV Risks #Climatechangewarriors #Savinglives #ProtectingTheEnvironment

🔥 Collaborating to Tackle the Summer Fire Season Today, the Working on Fire–Kishugu Joint Venture proudly joined firefighting agencies at the Stellenbosch Airfield for the launch of the Western Cape’s Summer Fire Season organised by the Western Cape government with the Provincial Disaster Management Centre. Mr Anton Bredell Minister of Local Government and Environmental Affairs Anton Bredell emphasized the immense pressure emergency services face to save lives and protect properties. He also raised concerns about the impact of budget constraints on firefighting efforts, highlighting the vital role of Working on Fire in supporting FPAs and municipalities during large-scale fires. Our Managing Director underscored the importance of collaboration and preparedness in addressing increasingly severe fire seasons driven by climate change. With 790 firefighters, 26 vehicles, and 22 aircraft strategically deployed, the WOF–Kishugu Joint Venture is ready to support partners in protecting communities and ecosystems across the province. #WorkingOnFire #Kishugu #FireManagement #ClimateChange #EmergencyServices #Collaboration #DisasterManagement

📺🔥🌍🚒 eNCA Interview: SA’s deadliest wildfire season with Working on Fire - Kishugu JV Project Manager, Trevor Abrahams #Climatechangewarriors #Savinglives #Protectingtheenvironment

At Working on Fire, we see the consequences of climate change everyday. We need funding for wildfire prevention and management, advanced firefighting technologies, and support for the vulnerable communities bearing the brunt of this crisis. Global discussions must translate into action on the ground, and nations like ours cannot afford to wait for incremental change. Now is the time to act and to be decisive! Discover more details by clicking the link below 👇 https://lnkd.in/diH3hvxq #Climatechange #Savinglives #Protectingtheenvironment

South Africa faces increasingly severe and extended wildfire seasons, with rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns creating unprecedented challenges. This special publication delves into the devastating impact of the 2024 winter fire season, offering insights into climate-driven fire risks, the science behind changing fire behaviour, and powerful stories of resilience of our wildland firefighters who stand on the frontlines as climate change warriors. It also highlights the proactive measures the WOF-Kishugu JV implements, from advanced firefighter training to cutting-edge technology, to address these growing threats. Join us in understanding and addressing the urgent need for fire prevention, community readiness, and policy innovation. We all can save lives and protect livelihoods, and the environment from the growing threat of wildfires together.