THE Kouga Municipality appeals to residents to desist from making fires in celebratin of Guy Fawkes Day on November 5.
Executive Mayor Horatio Hendricks says these “celebrations” are illegal and pose a serious risk to lives and property.
“The burning tyres leave our tar roads with significant da-mage, while vehicles, inclu-ding emergency vehicles, have to navigate around the tyres.
The fireworks furthermore pose a danger to animals, as well as the environment.
“Besides this, there is always a risk of fires – putting lives in danger.”
He added that the municipality alone cannot deal with curbing the scourge as these activities take place across all towns and in almost every street.
“It needs a collective effort, including educational campaigns,” he says.
Over the past few days, Kouga experienced gale force winds gusting at speeds of more than 90km an hour, thus making the area vulnerable to fires.
Towns in the Garden Route, including Kouga’s neighbour Koukamma, were hit by de-vastating fires which have been taking days to extinguish. By Tuesday eight people, including children, had lost their lives in George.
