Farmers count veld fire losses
Farmers count veld fire losses
11 January 2012
published by www.namibian.com.na
Namibia — THREE commercial farmers in the Aroab district are still counting their losses after a veld fire destroyed many hectares of grazing and killed livestock.
The veld fire started last Sunday and farmers, their workers, Aroab community members and the Aroab Village Council firefighters managed to put it out on Monday afternoon.
Police Deputy Commissioner Rudolph Isaak yesterday said it is suspected that lightning started the fire.
No human casualties were reported, said Isaak.
Farm Vlakplaas and two other farms sharing the name Groot Manasse were damaged by the fire.
Farmers are still assessing the damage caused by the veld fire, Isaak said.
He commended the farmers for their efforts in putting out the fire.
Meanwhile, Hardap Police regional commander Kobus Meyer has reported that veld fires are raging in the vicinity of Voigt Grund resettlement farm in the Gibeon area.
Meyer said strong winds are driving the fire suspected to have been sparked by lightning.
Police assisted by the community are fighting the fires, according to Meyer.
Last Friday, the Police, firefighters of the Mariental Town Council and Gibeon Village Council had to put out a fire that lasted for five days in the Uibes communal area in the Gibeon constituency.
The veld fire destroyed an estimated 20 000 hectares of grazing. No human casualties or animal losses were reported.
