Keywords: buffer zones, fire hazard, fire risk, fuel management ABSTRACT: Fire managers responsible for the planning and implementation of wildland fire prevention strategies, need integration of fire protection systems with various other disciplines such as nature conservation, riparian zone management, aesthetics, agriculture and forestry. In the Southern Cape, the different land uses form a complex mosaic in the landscape within contrasting topography, and subsequently create varying degrees of fire hazard in the region, particularly as a result of lack of concerted fuel reduction measures and wrong placement of fire break systems. In certain metropolitan districts a high population influx was also experienced, which aggravated urban interface problems in adjoining wildland vegetation communities. As a result, fire hazard has increased dramatically in most areas, and the past five years have seen a substantial increase in the number of wildfires and area burned, causing millions of Dollars of damage to properties, and even the loss of lives. In this study a holistic approach was followed to address the fire hazard problems of the region as follows: • Major wildfires that occurred in the past were mapped. • The most important vegetation (fuel) bases were classified. • A fire risk analysis in the area was done to identify assets that needed critical protection. • Existing fire protection systems were evaluated, such as: • Fire break routes and other fire-line specifications, considering the outcome of fire hazard rating. • Dynamic and static (natural and man-made) fuel changes over time. • Water flow management was integrated with prescribed burning regimes; with particular emphasis on fire management within riparian zones, in mountain catchment areas. • Integration of weed control programs. • Integration of nature conservation policies for natural temperate forests and fynbos, and considering the maintenance of biodiversity of each biome. • Identifying – and incorporating solutions for – urban interface problem areas. The improved, integrated, fire management system, provided for the region, will not only result in a reduction of wildland fire damage, but will also be more cost-effective. Continuous fire breaks will now be situated along strategic lines in the landscape, with specifications that will form significant fire protection buffers during wildfire conditions, from which wildfires can be controlled effectively. While considering population pressure and ecological requirements in particular, but also the sustainability of forestry and agricultural crops, integrated fire protection has proved to be an internationally acceptable solution to combat increased fire hazard. |