South Africans will need to learn to live with fires, as wildland-urban interference (WUI) fires are taking place more frequently.
This is according to Dr Natalia Flores-Quiroz, a postdoctoral researcher at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) fire engineering research unit, during an SU forum lecture held on 28 July.
A WUI fire takes place in the area where wildland vegetation meets or mixes with humans and their developments, including houses and infrastructure, explained Flores-Quiroz.
“The number of WUI fires are increasing due to climate change and land use change,” said Flores-Quiroz.
The Stellenbosch University (SU) forum lecture series provides regular opportunities for staff and students at SU, as well as the general public, to learn more about the research being done at the university, said Dr Therina Theron, the senior director for research and innovation at SU. Dr Natalia Flores-Quiroz, a postdoctoral researcher at Stellenbosch University’s fire engineering research unit, recently presented her research on “the need to learn to live with fire” at a forum lecture. PHOTO: Connor Cogill
Fire factor
There are a number of factors that contribute to WUI fire behaviour, said Flores-Quiroz. This includes the weather, “fuel”, such as the type of surrounding vegetation, and topographic features, such as valleys, she added.
One of the main contributing factors to wildfires is long periods of drought, according to Inus Ferreira, a BSc agriculture student.
“With long periods of drought, the natural vegetation dies, which makes it perfect for wildfires,” explained Ferreira.
The Western Cape often has long periods of such severe drought, said Jan de Waal, a physical geography lecturer at SU, via email correspondence with MatieMedia.
“The same [severe drought] is projected for drought occurrence in the future,” stated De Waal.
Climate change and land use change both contribute to the increasing number of wildland fires, according to Dr Natalia Flores-Quiroz, a postdoctoral researcher at Stellenbosch University’s fire engineering research unit. GRAPHIC: Connor Cogill
Defensible spaces
“People’s perception, especially with wildland fire risk, is that it’s out of our control,” explained Flores-Quiroz. However, there are methods of protecting oneself in high-risk areas, she stated.
“The main recommendation is to create a defensible space,” said Flores-Quiroz.
Defensible space is “the buffer you create between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surrounds it”, according to the Ready for Wildfire website.
“If the fire passes that [defensible space], surely you must also have an evacuation plan,” said Wayne Smith, chief fire officer at Stellenbosch fire and rescue. “Phone the fire brigade first, and then evacuate.”
Illustrated above are the different zones in creating a defensible space, according to Dr Natalia Flores-Quiroz, a postdoctoral researcher at Stellenbosch University’s fire engineering research unit. GRAPHIC: Connor Cogill
Precautionary tales
Flores-Quiroz also recommends understanding the fire risk of where you are staying, staying informed of weather conditions, and having a plan for if there is a fire.
“If you are going to evacuate, do it soon, before the roads have traffic jams,” said Flores-Quiroz. “If you are going to stay and defend your house, you need to have the equipment necessary, and have a plan B in case the conditions become critical.”