Both unions also encouraged landowners bordering the N3 from Cedara in KwaZulu-Natal to Heidelberg in Gauteng to work with the N3TC to establish effective firebreaks adjacent to this very busy highway.
The N3TC stated that it had already begun burning firebreaks within the N3’s road reserve. This programme would run from May until the end of July.
It added that firebreaks along the road reserves were not always effective in preventing fires from spreading into adjacent privately owned lands, particularly during the windy months of August and September.
“N3TC therefore appeals to all landowners to support its efforts to minimise the risk of veld fires this season by burning an additional width of firebreak adjacent to the road reserve,” said the organisation.
“Owners with land adjacent to the N3 Toll Route are requested to liaise with the N3TC Route Control Centre to jointly plan burning of their firebreaks.”
Chris van Zyl, TAU SA’s assistant general manager, said that too many fires originated on road servitudes.
“In accordance with the National Veld and Forest Fire Act of 1998, the person responsible for the land is held accountable, should a fire causing damage downwind originate on such property,” said Van Zyl.
Nic Opperman, director: natural resources with Agri SA, stressed that the loss to grazing, feedstock and infrastructure as a result of runaway veld fires posed a serious threat to the economic survival of the agricultural sector.
“Landowners are also advised to become members of recognised Fire Protection Associations. Members have the benefit of the doubt in the case of alleged negligence,” said Opperman.
* Contact the N3TC Route Control Centre at Tel 0800 N3 HELP (080 0634 357).
