Stellenbosch Municipality plans to execute a controlled ecological burn on a portion of Louwsbos next Tuesday (24 March).

The planned burn area comprises a 55 ha portion of Louwsbos south of De Zalze Winelands Golf Estate, between the Stellenbosch Airfield and Stellenbosch Riding Club.

“The primary purpose of the planned burn is to maintain a viable population of fynbos within the area and to reduce the present biological fuel load to address the risk of a potential unmanageable wildfire occurring within – or spreading through – the area,” explained municipal spokesperson Stuart Grobbelaar.

“The planned controlled burn will be executed with the assistance of the local fire department and Winelands Fire Protection Association. The burn will be implemented between 09:00 and 14:00, after which the area will be made safe and monitored.”

The proposed controlled ecological burn is planned to coincide with the start of winter.

The municipality and fire department will monitor weather conditions in the days leading up to the planned burn and only execute the burn if conditions are favourable, Grobbelaar concluded.