Landowners urged to be prepared for fire season 2016

As we head into fire season 2016, OFM News’ agri editor Sabrina Dean speaks to the deputy director in the Free State of forest and veld fire oversight at the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Malcolm Proctor, about some of the statistics from last year, preparations that should be made and dangers to avoid. Proctor says it is critical for land owners and farmers to take responsibility and participate in fire protection associations. He says the cut-off date for making of fire breaks is July 31 but adds that people must be careful of trying to do firebreaks when conditions are not favourable. He says if a land owner has been negligent, he or she will be held accountable.