From page 12
preparing firebreaks around
(at least) the perimeter of
your property. In reality this
can take three forms.
Walling: On a small property
construction of a solid wall
(eg, precast concrete
panelling), at least 1,8m high,
will prevent fires from
spreading, especially if the
grass on either side is shorn.
Firebreaks: A firebreak is
defined as a strip of land
devoid of any flammable
material, of sufficient width
that a fire cannot spread from
one side to the other. The
width of an effective fire-
break, therefore, is related to
the height of the grass on
either side of it (and this
material's ability to burn high
and hot). The shorter the
grass, therefore, the narrower
the firebreak can be. As a
rule, a cleared break of 5m
width, with a further strip 5m
wide of closely shorn grass on
either side will make an
FIRE SEASON
Links to the legislation and everything
you need to know about fire prevention
and fire fighting on your smallholding
effective break. You can read
more at http://www.-
sasmallholder.co.za/apr9-
width.rtf.
The two most common ways
to make a firebreak are:
~ Ploughing. This is the safest
and most convenient method
as there is no chance of fire
during its preparation and you
can see how effective your
efforts are. Plus, you don't
need to co-ordinate with your
neighbours when preparing
your ploughed break. The
disadvantage of a ploughed
break is the cost of fuel and
tractor time involved in
ploughing and harrowing, and
removing the exposed clumps
of (flammable) grass remain-
ing, the fact that after a
couple of years of ploughing
the break develops into a
shallow gulley, and the fact
that it will result in a good
in runaway blazes. You need
to know what your options
and responsibilities are in
relation to provision of, and
crop of weeds sprouting the
access to, suitable equipment
following season. You can
(eg fire beaters, blowers,
read about ploughing breaks
hoses, motorised pumps etc),
at http://www.sasmallholder-
training of personnel (staff
.co.za/apr9plough.rtf.
and family) in the handling
~ Burning. This requires
and safe use of the equip-
liaison with your neighbours, ment. You can read more
sufficient manpower with
about this at http://www.-
training in the use of the
sasmallholder.co.za/may11fire
firefighting equipment
.rtf.
supplied for the burning and
Understanding how fires burn
prevention of the spread of
is helpful in this regard. Read
the fire, the blessing of a
about how a fire burns at
calm, wind-free day, and prior http://www.sasmallholder.co.-
preparation of the adjacent
za/may13firetheory.rtf.
land by cutting and clearing.
There is also a recipe you can
You can read about your
use to make your firefighting
responsibilities when burning water “wetter”. You can read
breaks in the Act, and also at about it at
http://www.sasmallholder.co.- http://www.sasmall-
za/apr9burn.rtf.
holder.co.za/apr7wetter.rtf.
K To fight fires. Despite the
best preparation and the
widest firebreaks, late winter
winds coupled with even
short very dry grass can result facebook.com/gautengsmallholder
13
www.sasmallholder.co.za