With winter in full swing, Cape Winelands District Municipality’s (CWDM) Fire Services is aware that many farmers and landowners have collected a lot of waste over summer, which must be burnt.

Traditionally, this is done in late autumn and winter, when there is a much lower risk of the fire spreading to valuable areas.

As there is no municipal rubbish collection on farms, farmers need to manage their own household and farming waste products.

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Burn permits

Non-recyclable household waste, such as used nappies and sanitary towels, pressurised cannisters, paint tins plastic wrappers and more are collected and taken to the local landfill. Items such as agricultural off-cuts, poles and prunings are burned.

But farmers and landowners may not just collect their rubbish and burn it.

A permit must be obtained, which informs Fire Services where and when a burn will take place, allows a fire officer to visit the site prior to the burning to ensure that the area is safe and that no dangerous items are being burnt, and ensures that farmers and Fire Services are informed of safety procedures required before, during and after a burn.

Landowners need to apply for a permit 10 to 14 days before the burn.

Apply online

All rural municipality’s have bylaws that prohibit the setting of fires under certain conditions, in accordance with the National Veld and Forest Fire Act.

For years permits were available from the Winelands Fire Protection Association (WFPA), who serves as an interface between landowners and CWDM’s Fire Services.

But from Wednesday 1 July all landowners, including WFPA members, need to apply for the burn permits online at www.capewinelands.gov.za.

For more information and assistance, call the WFPA on 079 656 4673. Alternatively contact Jaco Thuynsma on jst@capewinelands.gov.za or 021 888 5824.

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