The George Municipality reminds residents and visitors that fireworks, firecrackers, flares, paper lanterns and other such paraphernalia are considered a major fire risk and are not allowed in public or private spaces in the municipal area this summer, or at any other time.
George Fire Chief Neels Barnard said the George Municipality Public Safety and Nuisance bylaws, overall fire safety and disaster management regulations, and ongoing dry and hot conditions of the Western Cape fire season were all reasons why fireworks remained banned in the municipal area.
"We appeal to residents and visitors to consider that the city and all its neighbourhoods and beaches are surrounded by natural vegetation and that, combined with hot and windy summer weather conditions on the Garden Route, the fire risk is omnipresent," he said.
The selling of fireworks is also illegal, and no such permits have been issued or will be issued by the George Municipality.
The illegal trading, possession and/or setting off of fireworks carry fines of R300 and fireworks will be confiscated.
Please report illegal trade and setting off of fireworks in George to Law Enforcement at 044 801 6350 or after hours at 044 801 6300.
Please report illegal, irresponsible and unsafe fires to the Fire Department on 044 801 6300.
Mr Barnard stressed there had not been designated sites for fireworks in the George municipal area for years and was unlikely to be reinstated, despite public tradition to ‘self-designate’ certain areas such as beaches, parks and streets.
"This summer we are especially concerned about our coastal zone, which has been identified as a high-risk area in our recent fire risk assessment. While we know the intention is to light the fireworks over the sea or out of harm’s way, the risk of misreading wind direction or a change in wind direction is not worth taking when lives and property are at stake."
Paper lanterns hold duel concern. In addition to the risk of blowing and dropping out of sight and catching fire in vegetation or on flammable material before it is extinguished, paper lanterns also waste resources when rescue services are incorrectly alerted to an ‘emergency flare’.
Similarly, the illegal setting off of a signal flare on New Year’s Eve 2019 caused a fire that destroyed several homes and necessitated evacuations at Betty’s Bay. A man was ultimately arrested and charged in terms of the National Environmental Management Protected Areas Act.
The public must please understand that any kind of spark or heat holds a threat, while fireworks, flares and lanterns are being highlighted, the appeal is for responsible, fire-aware action throughout. Please exercise extreme caution always, make fires only in protected and designated areas, and dispose of cigarette butts safely.
