Fires in KNP

[Lisbeth]

It must be quite violent if you have smoke in Nelspruit Well, at least it is under control.

[Peter Betts]

Looks bad. I hope that it is not a "controlled" fire that has developed too quickly

Arson >> too many fires just happen >> funny on Windy days too

[Richprins]

[Lisbeth]

It does not look much under control

[RogerFraser]

https://mypanorama.net/kruger-national- ... 1OsXsw7gm8

Kruger National Park prepares for the fire season



The Kruger National Park (KNP) announced its management plans for this year’s fire season earlier today.

Feature image: Kruger personnel burning a firebreak near Skukuza.

June to October is normally considered the fire season.

As part of the Savanna biome, KNP is dependent on fires to maintain a healthy ecosystem. Veld fires are a natural and common occurrence in KNP and the park uses fire as a land-management tool.



A recently burnt area in northern KNP after a controlled burn.
“Last year, nearly 20% of the park burnt due to high amounts of grass after the high rainfall experienced during the 2020/21 summer months. For the last few years, less than 10% of the park would burn on average. Following another year of substantial rainfall in KNP, we are anticipating another year where up to 15% or 300 000 ha of the park may burn. Most of these burns will be part of our controlled burning programme conducted by our rangers for ecological reasons. However, we also anticipate unplanned fires in the coming months, but these will be managed as and when they occur,” explains Tercia Strydom, the KNP’s abiotic scientist.

Proactive use of fire in a fire-driven landscape such as KNP is important to limit the risk of large, unwanted wildfires later in the dry season. As such, Kruger has already begun burning early-season fires to break up the grass layer as well as burning and grading firebreaks around key infrastructure such as camps, staff facilities and the KNP border to reduce the risk of unwanted fires.

“We encourage tourists to be fire-wise when visiting the park. Only make fires in designated braai areas and do not leave it unattended, especially on a hot, windy day. If you happen to drive past a veld-fire in the park, please drive slowly and put on your lights if visibility is obscured. If you suspect that a fire is unattended and do not see personnel on site, please report to the nearest camp and section ranger,” Strydom says.

[Richprins]

[cside_za]

In June 2022 we camped at Satara and watched how veld was burned in a control burning. What was quite apparent was the ease with which the fire spread, and that 48 hours later some of the veld was still smouldering. We had a fence line site at Satara, and it was long weekend and Father's day. One of the busiest that I have seen the park. I felt that the burn could have been delayed by a few days as there was no doubt that the animals scattered and the burning carried on around the region for the entire weekend which put pay to some of our plans.

[Richprins]

Interesting, and welcome, cside!

[Lisbeth]

cside

Very professional and well done

I am not convinced that burning is scientifically the right thing to do

[cside_za]

Thanks Lisbeth.

The main question was the timing when the camp was fully packed and there were many tourists. However when I see how quickly it flared up I think it is a good control. The bush has been thick and a simple spark could have just as easily caused a wild fire. We can sit and debate the scientific proof but time tells us that all too often we learn of many unintended consequences only many years later.