Are you
this summer?
Communities in the Overberg District, in the last year alone, fought 323 wildfires that started and spread within the 1.12 million hectares that fall in the domain of the Greater Overberg District FPA.
This #WildfireReady page is here to provide practical, affordable and quality tested advice to landowners living in and running businesses from their land that is situated in or close to dense vegetation like fynbos, forests and/or dense alien plants.
In the last year, wildfires in the Communities in the Overberg District, in the last year alone, fought 323 wildfires that started and spread within the 1.12 million hectares that fall in the domain of the Greater Overberg District FPA.
This #WildfireReady page is here to provide practical, affordable and quality tested advice to landowners living in and running businesses from their land that is situated in or close to dense vegetation like fynbos, forests and/or dense alien plants.
WE’VE PUT TOGETHER AN INFORMATION PACK TO…
🔥 understand the ecosystem in which your land is situated, and the fire dangers it poses
🔥 understand why it is also important to protect the natural environment around your land or property
🔥 understand how to protect your land and livelihood through defensible spaces
🔥 know how your local FPA can help you get #WildfireReady
– Louise Wessels, Greater Overberg Fire Protection Manager, fighting the fight against accidental wildfire alongside district Fire Services in the Overberg since 2016.
– Louise Wessels, Greater Overberg Fire Protection Manager, fighting the fight against accidental wildfire alongside district Fire Services in the Overberg since 2016.
Our call to action:
be #WildfireReady!
This initiative is open to anyone who would like to help protect themselves, their neighbourhoods and
the charming towns of the Overberg District from the devastation of losing their properties to wildfire.
#WildfireReady News
Why a changing climate is fuelling wildfire
Changes to our climate lead to bigger wildfires that are more difficult to control. As a result, wildfire management is becoming more important in order to reduce the damage to people, the economy and the environment. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Fynbos Biome
How to stay safe when a wildfire threatens
You clearly don’t have much say on weather and topography. But you CAN manage the fuel in your home.
So we’ve compiled a few critical, and achievable actions that you, as a homeowner can take to reduce the risk of wildfire damaging your home (these are taken from Canada’s FireSmart: Protecting Your Community
Do you live in nature? This is for YOU
You live in a wildland interface area. That means it’s an area where homes and businesses are built in or near natural areas, among trees and other vegetation that can catch fire easily. The challenges around wildland interface fires are becoming more pronounced for a number of reasons: • If you live in the interface
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Content Calendar Social MEDIA
INTRODUCTION
Are you #WildfireReady this summer?
IN THE LAST YEAR, WILDFIRES IN THE OVERBERG DISTRICT DESTROYED AND DAMAGED ALMOST 50 HOMES AND THREATENED SEVERAL NEIGHBOURHOODS.
This awareness programme has been initiated to provide practical, affordable and quality tested advice to homeowners living in or close to dense vegetation like #fynbos, forests and/or dense alien plants.
More about the #WildfireReady campaign:
https://overbergfpa.co.za/wildfireready/
#DiscoverOverberg #Overberg #Overstrand
REDUCE RISKS
#WildfireReady
// Living on the Wildland Urban Interface //
The more we want to be at one with nature, the more exposed we are to the threats of fire-prone vegetation.
Taking precautionary measures to secure your properties which are surrounded by vegetation can save you millions! Over the next few months, we will be sharing information and links on how you can reduce the risk of your house being damaged by wildfires.
#DiscoverOverberg #Overberg #Overstrand
EMBER ATTACKS
// Why your home ignites: Ember attacks and firebrands //
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗦 𝗔𝗡 𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗔𝗖𝗞?
Ember attack occurs when burning parts of trees (e.g. twigs, branches, leaves) are carried by winds in a cluster. Embers can range from tiny sub millimetre sparks to large chunks, which lodge in gutters, get under doorways, enter roof spaces or windows and start internal fires. The movements of embers from a wildfire are the primary cause of spot fires, which contribute to the continued spread of a wildfire. Ember attack can occur for up to 30 minutes before the fire front passes a given house and over distances greater than 1km from the fire front.
Embers are burning twigs, leaves and pieces of debris
Ember attack occurs when twigs and leaves are carried by the wind and land on or around houses.
Ember attack is the most common way houses catch fire during wildfires.
Embers can land on top of debris in your gutters and set fire to your house
Ember attack can happen before, during and after the wildfire.
(Taken from: https://bluemountainmesh.com.au/…/EMBER-ATTACK-PROTECTION-G…)
#WildfireReady #EmberAttacks #Ignitions #Overberg
HOW HOMES BURN
// Important facts about how homes burn //
Here’s a list of crucial facts, rules and steps to take when your home is burning. For instance, it’s a firefighters’ rule of thumb that if more than 1/4 of a roof is burning, the home cannot be saved. Don’t let your roof catch on fire!
Here’s how to be #WildfireReady: http://bit.ly/2BSbWNN
(And our thanks to the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council for sharing this important info).
📷 Sullivan Photography
#HowHomesBurn #Ignitions #Overberg Overstrand Municipality Village Explorer Overberg District Municipality Parkscape
PROTECT YOUR HOME
#WildfireReady “If your home doesn’t ignite it can’t burn.”
// What can you do to stop embers from igniting your house? //
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqKFDDBGd5o
#wildfireready #overberg #goFPA #defensiblespace
CPFPA'S LIST
// How to prepare your home and property in case of a #wildfire //
Cape Peninsula Fire Protection Association have compiled a list to help you prepare and protect your home and property in case of a wildfire:
- Ensure that flammable items are well away from the house e.g. firewood piles, boxes, garden furniture, rubbish bins, fuel containers, etc.
- Maintain a minimum 2 metre gap between your house and tree branches. Make sure no trees overhang the house.
- Prune lower branches (up to 2 metres off the ground) to stop a fire on the ground spreading to the canopy of the trees.
- Keep your gutters free of leaves and other combustible material.
- Block any gaps under floor spaces, in the roof space, under eaves, external vents, skylights, chimneys and wall cladding.
Make sure you are #WildfireReady today.
#ProtectYourProperty #Ignitions #Overberg
ARE YOU CONCERNED?
Here’s why many who live in areas surrounded by natural vegetation aren’t concerned about #wildfire, but perhaps should be: www.overbergfpa.co.za/do-you-live-in-nature-this-is-for-you/
So here’s YOUR #QuestionOfTheDay:
Do you live in or near natural areas? Tell us in the comments below if you feel your home is safe against wildfire. And if so, why you believe your home is NOT in danger.
#Questionnaire #WildfireReady #FireSeason
MANAGE FUEL LOADS
How can you stay safe when a wildfire threatens? Start by managing your fuel load at home.
We’ve compiled 6 critical, and achievable actions that you can take to reduce the risk of wildfire damaging your home. https://overbergfpa.co.za/how-to-stay-safe-when-a-wildfire-threatens/
Make sure you are #WildfireReady today: www.overbergfpa.co.za/wildfireready/
#ProtectYourProperty #Ignitions #Overberg #DiscoverOverberg #Overstrand
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
#WildfireReady
Fire IS your responsibility!
Join our growing community of #WildfireReady land- and property owners:
https://overbergfpa.co.za/wildfireready/
#ProtectYourProperty #Ignitions #Overberg #DiscoverOverberg #Overberg #Overstrand
YOUR INSURANCE
Are you sufficiently safeguarded against rebuilding your home if it burns down? Or are you perhaps underinsured?
Speak to your insurance broker to do an assessment of your property and insured values.
Make sure you are #WildfireReady today:
https://overbergfpa.co.za/wildfireready/
#ProtectYourProperty #Ignitions #Overberg #DiscoverOverberg #Overberg #Overstrand
FIRE SEASON
Fire season has arrived!
◆ Are you ready if wildfire threatens?
◆ How are you prepared in case of fire when you are not around?
Read more on our #WildfireReady campaign page.
https://overbergfpa.co.za/wildfireready/
#ProtectYourProperty #Ignitions #Overberg #DiscoverOverberg #Overberg #Overstrand
BEFORE HOLIDAYS START
Before you go on holiday…
Did you remember to check:
- Eaves, vents and openings
- For nearby combustibles
- Possible ladder fuels
How to stay safe in a #WildfireReady:
https://overbergfpa.co.za/how-to-stay-safe-when-a-wildfire-threatens/
#ProtectYourProperty #Ignitions #Overberg #DiscoverOverberg #Overberg #Overstrand
A CHANGING CLIMATE
The climate is changing – leading to bigger wildfires that are more difficult to control.
As a result, Integrated Fire Management is now becoming an imperative. It means being #WildFireReady, implementing strategies to reduce risks, AND belonging to your local Fire Protection Association.
More here: https://overbergfpa.co.za/why-a-changing-climate-is-fuelling-wildfire/
Make sure you are #WildfireReady today:
https://overbergfpa.co.za/wildfireready/
#ProtectYourProperty #Ignitions #Overberg #DiscoverOverberg #Overberg #Overstrand
Project Partners
*This initiative is made possible by the South African Insurance Association (SAIA), Landworks NPC and the Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association. Image credit: T. Oliver
*This initiative is made possible by the South African Insurance Association (SAIA), Landworks NPC and the Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association. Image credit: T. Olivier