FIREFIGHTING COURSE, NELSPRUT, SOUTH AFRICA

PRESCRIBED BURNING

By K. Sookee, forestry-mauritius

I was delegated by the Forestry Service, Ministry of Agro Industry & Food Security to follow a five-day intensive course on prescribed burning at NELSPRUT, SOUTH AFRICA from 17th to 23^rd July 2017.  The course was sponsored by the SADC in collaboration with the KISHUGU Academy and JICA, in SOUTH AFRICA.

I wish to share the experience I gained from the workshop with my colleagues of the Forestry Service. The lecture sessions were conducted at the KISHUGU academy whereas the practical and the post monitoring were held in the BREAKTHROUGH Academy.

BREAKTHROUGH ACADEMY

First of all, I would like to define the term prescribed burning. It is a desired fire ignited by persons intentionally burning specific fuels according to approved plans for a specific area to achieve resource management objectives. It is a crucially important tool currently in use both internationally and throughout Africa in plantations, grasslands and fynbos.

Prescribed fires differ from wild fires. Prescribed fire is any non-structural fire deliberately ignited in vegetation or natural fuels.   In contrast a wild fire is an unwanted fire.  Prescribed fire in South Africa may provide multiple benefits. It can reduce fire hazards by reducing fuels, improving habitats for diverse wild life species, reducing competition. The advantages of prescribed burning are that it improves wild life habitat, manages competitive vegetation, control insects and diseases, improves forages for grazing, enhances appearance and access to Ecotourism.  It also contributes to pasture managements through removing moribund grasses, recycle nutrients, reduces the level of mechanical or herbicide treatment needed.  However, it has also some disadvantages on human health and welfare. The smoke may have some negative effects on health of inhabitants and may also have impacts on the survival of wild life.

The lectures were conducted by experienced tutors. During the workshop a prescribed burning plan was implemented under favourable weather conditions on a farmer’s land at NELSPRUT.

An authority was sought from the fire protection association for the clearance of setting the fire with consideration given to the fire danger index as set in the table below:-

The speed of the wind, temperature, relative humidity and the wind direction were considered for a good fire behavior. A training was given for the use of fire equipments such as fire bats, knap sacks, drip torches, etc.

Use of Fire Bats and Protective Equipments

After all the conditions were met, the fire was set on the farmer’s land. Before doing so, fire-breaks were opened all across the farmer’s land in order to avoid any escape fire.  A drone was used to scrutinize the area to see all the hazards that may be encountered such as slopes, moribund grasses, serpents, wild life, and sensitive areas.

Use of Drone to survey the Area  

Strip burning techniques were adopted to burn the farmer’s land. A fire team was established by the fire expert tutor comprising of a unit leader for execution of the burning plan.  The area, some ten hectares of grass, was burnt in blocks. Drip torches were used by a competent Officer for ignition and all equipment properly established on site to mitigate any mishaps or any recurrence of fire. After the operation done a post monitoring was carried out by the tutor to see if there had been any shortcomings or discrepancies and if so, what are the future measures to improve. The prescribed burning plan was a success.

Strip Burning

These steps include the preliminary precautions and techniques used to ensure the success of a prescribed burning operation.

Note from forestry_mauritius

Mr. K.Sookee is a Chief Forest Conservation & Enforcement Officer with more than 40 years of experience in Forestry.  He is considered as one of the few Senior Officers from the old guard whose competency, experience, skills and talent are recognised and appreciated by one and all.  His dedication, commitment and hard work make him a role model and an example for the young generation.  Congratulations Sir. We are proud of you.