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The Citizen
6 days ago
- Climate
- The Citizen
Tips on how to protect your property from burning this winter
Electrical faults and gas heaters are the primary causes of fires in residential areas. Property owners need to understand the risks that come with winter season-related disasters and how they can mitigate these risks. The peak wildfire season in South Africa typically begins in early June and lasts approximately 22 weeks, spanning from April to April. 'The unpredictable weather conditions, rising sea levels and wildfires are placing some properties that were previously low risk into high-risk zones, and in a few years to come, a substantial number of properties can be uninsurable,' says Infiniti Insurance CEO, Sharon Paterson. Wildfires in winter She adds that South Africa has become used to the emerging risk of wildfires that come with the season. Paterson made reference to the Global Assessment Report (GAR) Risk Data Platform, which outlined that the country records an average of more than 41 500 wildfires annually. 'In 2025 alone, 974 high-confidence fire alerts have been registered via NASA's VIIRS satellite system. 'This figure, while in line with historical data, highlights the persistent nature of the risk we are faced with this fire season.' ALSO READ: Video: 4 children under 2 die in Johannesburg house fire Climate change The increasing number and severity of wildfires in Southern Africa are attributed largely to climate change. Warmer temperatures, prolonged droughts, reduced rainfall, and extended fire seasons are contributing to an increase in the frequency of catastrophic wildfires. 'The devastating June 2017 Southern Cape wildfires remain a stark reminder of how destructive these events can be, leading to fatalities, economic loss, livestock deaths, and long-term environmental damage,' she adds. Therefore, property owners must ensure they are adequately insured for weather-related losses. Brokers need to help clients understand the unique risks they face and assist in crafting policies tailored to their specific needs. Here are practical ways clients can protect their homes during the high-risk winter season: Fire safety indoors Check and maintain heaters and fireplaces: Have gas heaters, chimneys, and wood-burning stoves professionally serviced before use. Ensure proper ventilation and never leave heating devices unattended. Have gas heaters, chimneys, and wood-burning stoves professionally serviced before use. Ensure proper ventilation and never leave heating devices unattended. Electrical safety: Avoid overloading sockets and replace damaged cords. Inspect all appliances and ensure they are in good working condition. Avoid overloading sockets and replace damaged cords. Inspect all appliances and ensure they are in good working condition. Install smoke detectors: Every home should have working smoke alarms, particularly near bedrooms and kitchens. Test them monthly and replace batteries regularly. Every home should have working smoke alarms, particularly near bedrooms and kitchens. Test them monthly and replace batteries regularly. Have fire extinguishers at hand: Ensure there is at least one accessible, up-to-date fire extinguisher in the kitchen or near high-risk areas. Ensure there is at least one accessible, up-to-date fire extinguisher in the kitchen or near high-risk areas. Electrical certificates of compliance: All homes require an updated certificate if any work has been done to the electrical reticulation system. This is a legal requirement for every building. ALSO READ: House fire claims lives of four young children in Mayfair Outdoor fire risk reduction Clear vegetation and debris: Trim back bushes, remove dead branches and leaves, and create a defensible zone free of flammable materials around your home. Trim back bushes, remove dead branches and leaves, and create a defensible zone free of flammable materials around your home. Use fire-resistant materials: Where possible, install fire-retardant roofing and cladding, particularly in high-risk zones near velds or forests. Where possible, install fire-retardant roofing and cladding, particularly in high-risk zones near velds or forests. Store flammable materials safely: Gas bottles, firewood, and chemicals should be kept in well-ventilated, fire-safe areas away from living spaces. Have an expert check any gas installations for leaks. Safe practices to prevent gas or electrical fires Nedbank stated that electrical faults and gas heaters are the primary causes of fires in other residential areas. This followed a statement by the City of Johannesburg that paraffin stoves and candles continue to be the main cause of fires in informal settlements. 'Gas appliances must be installed correctly according to regulatory guidelines to avoid damage to property or serious harm to people. 'Get a professional installer to handle the installation. Incorrectly installed gas appliances increase the risk of gas leaks, fires, explosions, or even fatal carbon monoxide poisoning.' ALSO READ: Vandalism delays housing for more than 200 Jeppestown fire survivors Gas heaters and other gas appliances Never leave a gas heater on overnight. After connecting the regulator, use a soapy liquid to check for leaks. Avoid using clamps intended for garden hoses to connect gas equipment, as they can damage or cut rubber gas hoses over time. Use appropriate gas hose clamps. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and refrain from making modifications Keep gas heaters away from flammable substances. Cooking, stove top and kitchen fires Never leave pots unattended on the stove, especially those containing cooking oil. Ensure the stove is turned off during load shedding. Store gas cylinders in well-ventilated areas. Do not place a gas bottle on top of a stove during load shedding or power failures. Regularly clean the extraction system filters. Perform regular service and maintenance on deep fryers and heating elements. Use an accredited installer for gas lines and appliances. During load shedding, turn off all electric hobs and ovens. Switch them back on when power is restored. NOW READ: Marshalltown fire victims: Why are the bodies still unclaimed?
Newsweek
7 days ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
NASA Image Reveals Wildfire Haze Over US So Big It Can Be Seen From Space
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new satellite image released by NASA has captured dramatic clouds of smoke and dust from the wildfires that have ravaged parts of Canada. The plumes from some blazes were so thick and widespread that they could be seen from a viewpoint in space well beyond that of the moon. The image was taken on May 31 by NASA's EPIC (Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera) on the DSCOVR satellite of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). EPIC is positioned a million miles from the Earth's surface, around four times farther than the orbit of the moon. (For comparison's sake, most polar orbiting satellites observe the Earth fat an altitude of less than 621 miles.) An image of plumes of smoke and dust from Canada's wildfires captured by NASA's EPIC (Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera) on NOAA's DSCOVR satellite acquired this image on May 31, 2025. An image of plumes of smoke and dust from Canada's wildfires captured by NASA's EPIC (Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera) on NOAA's DSCOVR satellite acquired this image on May 31, 2025. NASA Earth Observatory The satellite image captures smoke mostly from the fires in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The plumes extend north across Nunavut, Canada's largest and northernmost territory, and toward the coast of Greenland and south across the United States. A patch of smoke is also visible over the Atlantic Ocean near Europe, while "the hazy air west of Africa is not smoke but dust that has blown westward from the Sahara Desert," NASA notes. More than 180 wildfires were reported to have burned across Canada on Sunday, with air quality and visibility worsening in Canada and in some U.S. states along the border. This marks the first instance of excessive Canadian wildfire smoke descending into the U.S. since 2023 when wildfires worsened air quality to dangerous levels for millions in the northeast. Air quality has degraded in several parts of the U.S., including in Michigan, which issued an advisory last week, warning residents that "conditions maybe unhealthy for sensitive groups and there is a possibility that hourly levels could reach the unhealthy range for a short period of time." On Monday, an advisory was also issued in Minnesota warning residents that the air quality is expected to reach a level that is "hazardous for everyone." The advisory is in effect until Wednesday. The jet stream has sent the plumes further south, with an image captured by NASA's VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) on the NOAA-21 satellite showing smoke reaching northern Florida. An image captured by NASA's VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) on the NOAA-21 satellite showing smoke reaching northern Florida. An image captured by NASA's VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) on the NOAA-21 satellite showing smoke reaching northern Florida. NASA Earth Observatory Over 25,000 residents have been evacuated across three Canadian provinces as dozens of wildfires remained active Sunday. A state of emergency was declared in Manitoba last week, where by Saturday around 17,000 people had been evacuated, along with 1,300 in the Alberta province. About 8,000 in the Saskatchewan province were relocated, with leaders warning the figure may rise, the Associated Press reported Sunday. The wildfire season in Canada runs from late April to August, but fires can occur at any time of the year. So far this year, 1,586 fires have scorched more than a million hectares of Canada, according to a report on June 1 by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center. Last year, the country saw 1,343 fires burn less than half a million hectares by the same date. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about wildfires? Let us know via science@
