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We have been keeping accurate records, pertaining to fire related issues, since November 1994. Fire statistics and some way of presenting trends and 'red lights' is critical in fire fighting operations. The adage - you won't know where you are going if you don't know where you have been - holds a lot of water for us.

The fire database was initially built in 'Quattro' by Jake Oosthuizen. This database was incredibly detailed but very laborious to operate. In 1998 we, in association with a 'Delphi' expert, built a proper stand alone program that is the leader in South African Forestry applications. We called the program FIMS - Fire Information Management System

The Zululand Coastal Area is covered by the Zululand Fire Protection Association. The ZFPA is made up of 70 members, covering approximately 80 000ha of commercial timber,  working towards the common goal of preventing fires, detecting fires, utilizing initial attack fire fighting principles to minimize agricultural and forestry losses through fire.

Zululand Coastal is one of the very few areas in South Africa that has a 12 month fire season due to the unique weather conditions. It is a relatively flat area with predominantly clonal Eucalyptus plantations that are harvested in an average of 7 years. High temperatures, coupled with high humidity's and and average rainfall of approximately 1100mm per year makes Zululand Coastal the 'Forestry Pantry' of South Africa. The trees grow straight and fast - unfortunately so do the fire fuels!

 

ZULULAND COASTAL FIRES AND LOSSES 







Year  Total Fires  A/c Fires  Timber Burnt  Ha/Fire  Ave A/c costs per Fire 
1995 299 45 310 1.04 R 1,827.25
1996 240 36 365 1.52 R 2,173.15
1997 196 23 149 0.76 R1.227.88
1998 416 47 2380 5.72 R 7,778.43
1999 457 30 282 0.62 R 3,144.47
2000 154 21 109 0.72 R 6,148.10
2001 260 48 187 0.7 R 5,933.26
2002 565 101 481 1.02 R 3,804.28
2003 557 188 1284 2.31 R 4,315.80
2004 242 24 287 1.55 R 20,722.00
2005 315 49 10200 53.91 R 33,670.00
2006 226 9 80 0.37 R 22,309.00
2007 220 26 193 0.88 R 9,929.00
2008 312 29 207 0.66 R 13,856.00
2009 386 10 86 0.45 R 2,352.00
Average  323 46 1107 4.82 R 9,854.48

 

The Zululand Inland Area is covered by the Zululand Inland Fire Protection Association. The ZIFPA is made up of 25 members, covering approximately 44 000ha,  working towards the common goal of preventing fires, detecting fires, utilizing initial attack fire fighting principles to minimize agricultural and forestry losses through fire.

Zululand Inland relatively mountainous with a fairly even mix of Pine, Wattle and Eucalyptus plantations that are harvested in an average of 12 years. The area has the unfortunate notoriety of having one of the fastest, most devastating fires, in Zululand history. 6 000ha in 6 hours! Extreme fire weather conditions, aspect and terrain make this area a nightmare to fight fires in.


ZULULAND INLAND FIRES AND LOSSES







Year Total Fires A/c Fires Timber Burnt Ha/Fire Ave A/c costs per Fire
1995 170 41 5789 33.75 R 2,212.93
1996 69 12 360 5.24 R 1,720.52
1997 79 17 112 1.01 R 2,004.79
1998 110 35 2254 20.65 R 16,577.23
1999 141 56 981 6.96 R 11,875.43
2000 102 36 456 5.14 R 11,000.93
2001 178 46 416 2.33 R 8,264.11
2002 140 28 443 3.17 R 9,080.75
2003 113 32 927.5 8.21 R 14,883.19
2004 73 22 360 4.76 R 16,120.48
2005 82 30 810 9.19 R 12,712.00
2006 99 33 225 1.61 R 10,012.00
2007 35 27 100 1.59 R 15,087.00
2008 63 26 2640 41.5 R 16,226.00
2009 88 8 340 2.23 R 22,048.00
Average 103 30 1081 9.82 R 11,321.69

 

 

2009 386 10 86 0.45 R 2,352.00
Average  323 46 1107 4.82 R 9,854.48

Fire