If one owns land, one needs to take responsibility for the land. Wild fires are by definition difficult to predict and manage. There are a few simple measures we can all take:
1) Belong to the Duiwenhoks Conservancy so that we can more effectively work together and help each other.
2) Join the S. Cape Fire Protection Agency – the annual fee is very small.
3) Remove alien bush and keep the grass short around your houses.
4) Plant fire-resistant species around your house, such as milkwoods, aloes and sour fig.
5) Use local labour to cut rooikrans and create fire-breaks.
People like Boelie in the village are looking for work, and wants to cut rooikrans for firewood to raise money, and desperately wants to purchase a chainsaw.
- Newsletter Jan 2012 – Southern Cape Fire Protection Association Garden Route South Africa
- The Duiwenhoks Conservancy Newsletter