MEDIA RELEASE
NO. 736/2008
23 DECEMBER 2008



With the massive, week-long veld fire in Gordon’s Bay still fresh in the memory, Cape Town’s Fire Services are appealing to the public to do everything possible to avert more fires in the coming months of hot, dry and windy weather.

The Fire Safety Amendment By-law, which regulates fire safety in the Cape metropole, was promulgated last year to discourage people from throwing burning cigarette butts from their vehicles.

"A person who disposes of a burning match or cigarette butt from a vehicle will be issued with a fine of R1 000,00 if deemed necessary unless he or she can prove otherwise," says Fire and Rescue Station Commander Denzel Ramedies.

"The high rainfall of the past winter resulted in lush vegetation across the metropole, increasing the risk of runaway fires. High winds and dry vegetation renders the Peninsula even more prone to the risk of fires rapidly spreading and becoming uncontrollable during the dry summer season.

"Everybody has a role to play in minimising the risk. The City calls on all motorists to make use of the ashtrays in their vehicles to dispose of matches and cigarette butts," says Ramedies.

Motorists and passengers who toss burning matches or cigarette butts from vehicles can be reported to the City’s 24-hour Emergency Control Centre on 021 424 7715.

The centre requires details of where and when the incident occurred, as well as a description of the vehicle and its registration number.

"Witnesses are asked to provide their name and contact details when reporting a transgression of the by-law. Once a case has been reported, a Fire Department official will contact the complainant to investigate the case.

"Cape Town’s natural environment is the backbone of the regional economy. The City will take stern action against transgressors to protect this priceless heritage," Ramedies says.