RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
THE IMPACT ZONE
A SURGE OF FIRE COMPARABLE TO
THE OPENING OF FLOODGATES
to increase. It is therefore imperative that communities
understand how to co-exist with wildfires, especially
those that inhabit the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI).
The WUI is the transitional zone where structures, homes
and other human development meet the undeveloped
or rural environment, also known as the wildland. The
wildland is mostly a fire-driven ecosystem, which means
it wants to burn.
If you live in an estate, the chances are you border
on or live within the WUI. The advantage here is the
serenity one feels when coming home to nature on one’s
doorstep. However, that very same natural environment
so many choose to live in can also become a risk when
THE FORECAST WARNED THAT AN EXTREME
COLD FRONT WAS TO HIT THE WESTERN
CAPE THAT NIGHT. EMERGENCY SERVICES
WERE PREPARING FOR STORM WATERS, BUT
THE PRE-FRONTAL WIND CONDITIONS THAT
PUSHED AHEAD OF THE STORM FANNED
SMOULDERING EMBERS AND UNLEASHED
A SURGE OF FIRE COMPARABLE TO THE
OPENING OF FLOODGATES. THERE WAS
SIMPLY NO STOPPING THIS CONFLAGRATION
ONCE IT HAD REACHED A CERTAIN LEVEL
OF INTENSITY.
a wildfire is raging close by. The natural beauty we see
around the homes and structures is fuel for fire, and
unless it is Afromontane, it will burn. It must be noted
that u