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25 October 2024
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North West fires claim life of land owner fighting the fire; three others injured
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On Friday afternoon, 25 October 2024, a fire erupted near Botsalano Game Reserve near Zeerust in the North West Province. The farming community worked tirelessly throughout the weekend to save both land and livestock. Tragically, during this effort, a local farmer, Henk Meyer, age 59, lost his life and three farmworkers sustained injuries.
The North West Umbrella Fire Protection Association’s chairperson, Eric Stoch, confirmed it has lost one of its members, Henk Meyer, the landowner and incident commander on scene, who passed away fighting veld fires in the Khunotshwana area,. According to the Association, three farm workers were also been hospitalised after sustaining injuries in the same incident.
Stoch said they empathise with the families of the victims. “This devastating loss reminds us of the extreme dangers we face in our mission to protect our communities from wildfires. Each member of our FPA is precious and this loss touches us all very deeply. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of our fallen member during this time. We also extend our hopes for a full recovery to the injured farm workers currently receiving medical care.”
The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Bernice Swarts extended her heartfelt condolences to the family of Henk Meyer.
Deputy Minister Swarts also wished speedy recovery to those who sustain injuries in this incident. “This incident underscores the increasing threat posed by veld and wildland fires, exacerbated by climate change and the need for coordinated efforts across landowners, fire protection associations (FPAs), communities, provincial disaster management centres (PDMCs) and district municipalities to prevent and manage fires,” said Deputy Minister Swarts.
Sources: North West Umbrella Fire Protection Association, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
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The North West Umbrella Fire Protection Association’s chairperson, Eric Stoch, confirmed it has lost one of its members, Henk Meyer, the landowner and incident commander on scene, who passed away fighting veld fires in the Khunotshwana area,. According to the Association, three farm workers were also been hospitalised after sustaining injuries in the same incident.
Stoch said they empathise with the families of the victims. “This devastating loss reminds us of the extreme dangers we face in our mission to protect our communities from wildfires. Each member of our FPA is precious and this loss touches us all very deeply. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of our fallen member during this time. We also extend our hopes for a full recovery to the injured farm workers currently receiving medical care.”
The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Bernice Swarts extended her heartfelt condolences to the family of Henk Meyer.
Deputy Minister Swarts also wished speedy recovery to those who sustain injuries in this incident. “This incident underscores the increasing threat posed by veld and wildland fires, exacerbated by climate change and the need for coordinated efforts across landowners, fire protection associations (FPAs), communities, provincial disaster management centres (PDMCs) and district municipalities to prevent and manage fires,” said Deputy Minister Swarts.
Sources: North West Umbrella Fire Protection Association, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
Quote of the week
“Everything we want to do in life requires discipline. And like strength, flexibility and endurance, it can be built up over time." ~ Laird Hamilton
Fire and Rescue International is your magazine.
Read it, use it and share it!
Read the latest magazine: https://www.frimedia.org/fri-vol-7-no-3.html
FRI magazine archive: https://www.frimedia.org/fri-archives.html
Enjoy the read!
Lee Raath-Brownie
Managing director
Cell: 082 371 0190
Contact us
Tel: 011 452 3135 or Email: [email protected]
Websites
www.fireandrescue.co
www.frimedia.org
www.facebook.com/FireandRescueInternational
www.twitter.com/FRI_magazine
http://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-raath-brownie-16668065/