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National Veld and Forest Fire Act, 1998 (Act No. 101 of 1998)

Chapter 3 : Fire Danger Rating

9. Fire danger rating

 

(1) The Minister must prepare and maintain on a continuous basis a fire danger rating system for the entire country in consultation with—
(a) the South African Weather Bureau or any successor to that Bureau; and
(b) fire protection associations.

 

(2) The Minister may consult other organisations with expertise, information or equipment relevant to the establishment or maintenance of a fire danger rating system.

 

(3) The Minister must divide the entire country into separate regions, each region being one in which the fire danger is usually sufficiently uniform to allow for a single rating which is meaningful for the entire region.

 

(4) The fire danger rating system must—
(a) take into account the relevant peculiarities of each region, including, where reasonably possible—
(i) the topography;
(ii) the type of vegetation in the area;
(iii) the seasonal climatic cycle;
(iv) typical weather conditions;
(v) recent weather conditions;
(vi) current weather conditions;
(vii) forecasted weather conditions; and
(viii) any other relevant matter;
(b) incorporate the formula or formulae needed to—
(i) take into account factors affecting the fire danger for each region;
(ii) calculate the indicators needed to rate the fire danger;
(iii) rate the fire danger in each region for an appropriate period or periods;
(c) show the rating in a clear format;
(d) identify—
(i) what activities are dangerous and what precautions should be taken for each rating; and
(ii) when the fire danger is rated as high or extreme.

 

(5) The Minister may require any fire protection association to provide information needed for the fire danger rating system within a period specified by him or her.