MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Mossel Bay Environmental Partnerships (MEP) Strategic Firebreak Project is ready to start the burning phase on October 1, at various sites that have been approved by the Mossel Bay Fire Department.
This project is sponsored by Mossel Bay Municipality and PetroSA, and is being implemented by the Oyster Bay Reserve for MEP. The project brief 1 is finally complete, in which over 102 previously disadvantaged community members have been employed throughout Mossel Bay. In project brief 2, the focus is on setting up cooperatives to undertake the required work.
The Community Strategic Firebreak Project has had six community teams working at different locations to undertake the various firebreaks identified.
OBR interns to facilitate burning
In the burning phase, approved areas will be cleared and burnt in blocks. The burning of cleared stacked vegetation will assist in reducing the fuel load once and for all. This will officially complete the initial firebreaks that have been created.
The burning is proposed to start on Sunday, 1 October onwards in Heiderand and Freimersheim, weather permitting.
The Oyster Bay Reserve interns have been managing this project for the past seven months, overseeing the clearing of firebreaks, issuing staff PPE clothing, managing equipment, through to overseeing all the staff administration and support. The students have been working very closely with the Mossel Bay Fire Department.
The Oyster Bay Reserve is implementing this project for MEP, by focusing on creating effective firebreaks in areas identified by the Mossel Bay Fire Department. These firebeaks have been created to act as a definite boundaries to assist providing access in fighting any future fires that could spread into residential areas from open areas.
Open unmanaged natural areas are high in natural fuel loads (dead branches, et cetera) and thus very prone to human arson and ignitions. The urban fringes are the first line of defence to prevent and fight such fires from damaging property. The firebreaks will create safer environments for residents.
The intention of the proposed burning is to remove the piles of dead cleared vegetation matter through a controlled burning process. The burning, implemented by a qualified burning team, will reduce the fuel load and stimulate new growth.
Notice of intent to burn
The planned burning of vegetation will take place in Friemersheim on Sunday, 1 October. This will take place on the newly formed municipal strategic firebreak that starts behind the shop (S33°57.247; E22°08.485) along Kretzen Street, up to the church, up to Pine Grove.
Similar burning of alien vegetation will also take place in Heiderand and Dana Bay, from opposite the Correctional Services (S34° 11,149'; E022° 05.592) up to the back of South Cape College; and the municipal erven (S34°11.493 ; E022°05.426) next to Pinnacle Point Road, leading up to the water tower (S34°11.614; E22°06.301), throughout October.
The firebreaks have been cleared and the dry alien material is all already stacked, in order to be burnt. The necessary fire permits have been applied for and a reputable community burning contractor, in conjunction with the Mossel Bay Fire Department, will undertake the required burning. Burning will only commence pending suitable weather conditions.
Public participation
The Oyster Bay Reserve are inviting all local conservancy members and conservation-passionate community members to join in on a pre-walk through the area proposed to be burnt, in order to move smaller fauna. Please contact the Mossel Bay Fire Department for any fire or burning related questions or the Oyster Bay offices at 044 693 3164 to join in on the fauna search.
ARTICLE: KELLY-JANE PEO - Mossel Bay Advertiser
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