Lindy Warren Presentation on Wildfires
Channel: The Overberg
Date: 2015-03-30

Red hot wildfire facts lead the way to cool headed action

It’s really hard to look up at the burned landscapes following the recent spate of wildfires in the Western Cape, numbering some 1000 since November. In the Overstrand area alone, 29 wildfires were fought in just one week, without loss of life but with significant consequences to residents, municipalities and the natural environment.

Figures relating to costs of fighting these wildfires appeared in the mass media in the form of the infographic Cape Fire by Numbers.
The wildfire stories have gone off the boil in the media yet the carnage is there for all to see. What has replaced the dramatic pictures and related coverage of bravery and loss are articles as to the environmental benefits, insights to the indigenous fauna and flora and strategies for the future relating to Wildfires.
Fynbos is the endemic dominant vegetation-type found in a tight coastal band in the Western Cape – home to the richest but smallest floral kingdom on our planet – the Cape Floral Kingdom. This Floral Kingdom boasts some 9250 species, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. Sadly it is not the only vegetation type what with the often unchecked invasion of alien species such as rooikrans, blue gums and pine trees.
Fire is a natural phenomenon in Fynbos and its plants have evolved a number of strategies to cope with it. Fire is the major ecological driving force behind the structuring and functioning of Fynbos. During the dry summer months the Fynbos becomes like a tinderbox. Fynbos wants to burn! But not that often nor too infrequently (about 12 – 15 years) AND it prefers a COOL Fire. Fires that are too hot, too often or not often enough have dire consequences for its diversity. Historically lightening caused natural fires, but today humans are the major causes of wildfires. 

If this is all true then looking for solutions to wildfires should include the focus: Burn for diversity! We are tasked with looking after what we have!

The climate dice is loaded in favour of bigger wildfires which will be difficult to control as many will rage in inaccessible areas. The alien or mixed vegetations change the fuel load, make the vegetation more flammable and fires hotter.
So how do we achieve wildfire control and reduce damage to lives and homes, the economy on the one hand and the natural environment – on the other?
Thanks to United Nations climate change funding together with local 
co-funders the Fynbos Fire Project, is developing strategies to reduce the impact of unwanted wildfire in the Fynbos biome. 

The project aims to enable Fire Protection Associations (FPAs) and their members, to more effectively manage risks to the environment, property, agriculture and water catchments in the Western and Eastern Cape.

The tools include an integrated combination of knowledge and data collection with preventative and reactive actions as well as education. Here are some of these: 

 Fire modelling, fire weather predictions, wildfire behaviour

Preventative actions include
 Risk reduction such as firebreaks
 Removal of alien vegetation 
 Controlled burns in line with the very nature of the indigenous vegetation needs and specifics; 
manage risks to the environment, property, agriculture and water catchments in the Western and Eastern Cape.

The tools include an integrated combination of knowledge and data collection with preventative and reactive actions as well as education. Here are some of these: 

 Fire modelling, fire weather predictions, wildfire behaviour

Preventative actions include
 Risk reduction such as firebreaks
 Removal of alien vegetation 
 Controlled burns in line with the very nature of the indigenous vegetation needs and specifics; 
 Damage rehabilitation,

Education is essential 
 The newly formed FPAs work together with land owners to practice integrated fire management
 Fire awareness programs aimed at putting a stop to the high incidence of fires caused by malicious ignition

Reactive actions will continue with
 Detection, dispatch and co-ordination in fighting the fires

With this kind of focus, the project is encouraging experts from a wide range of related disciplines to share their research and encourage open public debate. 

Music: "Perspectives” - Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons "Attribution 3.0"http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/"