The City of Windhoek (CoW) has pleaded with residents to be extra cautious when handling fire and to help in curbing the veld fire that has been ravaging nearby farms for the past few days.

In a media statement issued on Monday, CoW Public Relations and Communication Officer, Lydia Amutenya, said the city has noticed with great concern the recent increasing incidents of veld fires in the city and surrounding areas, which does not only present a danger to the lives of residents but also to properties and environment.

‘As we are approaching the driest months of the year, coupled with the seasonal strong winds, it is increasingly becoming dangerous for veld fires to start and spread. The good rains we received earlier this year have also made it dangerous because of the vegetation growth and dry grass that can burn quickly,’ said Amutenya.

This comes after the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) reported on Monday that a veld fire that started last week Tuesday, has damaged grazing land and infrastructures on 30 farms in the Windhoek rural settlements, and that a 63-year-old man was also found burnt to death near Dordabis in the east side of Windhoek.

NamPol Khomas regional commander, Commissioner Ismael Basson, who was also at the fire, told Nampa on Monday that they are still investigating the cause of the fire.

‘Our aim was just to bring the fire under control first and prevent it from spreading further and cause more damage. You can’t be fighting the fire and at the first time you are investigating what transpired. Now that the fire has been brought under control, the investigations will start,’ said Basson.

CoW Deputy Chief of Emergency and Disaster Risk Management, Kupaha Uazukuani, said he is still not sure how much damage the fire has caused as the team is still compiling a full report, which will be availed to the public.

Source: Namibia Press Agency