‘‘In 2014, the fire season was the worst ever since I joined the programme,’’ quipped Sello Khothalang from the Ongeluknek base.

Sello said that the fires they fought last year were tough but it gave them more experience for the 2015 fire season. “Most of the fires we supressed were on the Drakenburg Mountains where our team is situated. It was not easy fighting fires onmountainous terrains,’’ he explained.

He further said that this year they made sure schools and communities were well educated about the dangers of fire and they gave various safety tips.

The Crew Leader from the Ongeluknek Team, Takatso Ntsalla, said that the team is physically and mentally fit for the 2015 fire season. “We will not stop conducting fire educational awareness in schools and communities. Whenever we have a chance we educate schools and communities about fire safety,” Takatso explained.

She urged all fire fighters to work as a team during the fire season when fighting aggressive fires and that safety should come first. Takatso also said that this year she wishes that no person or animals must be killed by fire.