Tzaneen Emergency Support Team

17/06/2026

WILDFIRE INCIDENT RESPONSE – BELA BELA SATELLITE BRANCH

📍 16 June 2026

Last night, our Bela Bela Satellite Branch responded to reports of a vegetation fire opposite Bela Mall. Upon arrival, crews found that the fire had already spread in four different directions due to the dry fuel load and prevailing conditions.

Priority areas were quickly identified and protected while containment operations got underway. The landowner dispatched eight workers to assist, and the Fire Department responded with a fire engine and personnel. Through effective teamwork and rapid decision-making, the fire was successfully contained, suppressed, and mopped up before it could spread into surrounding areas.

A sincere thank you to the landowner and his workers, the Fire Department, and all responding members for their swift and professional efforts.

The fire is believed to have been deliberately started. We urge the public to report fires immediately and to notify authorities of any suspicious fire-setting activity.

CommunityFirst

16/06/2026

16/06/2026

Today, members of the Tzaneen Emergency Support Team had the privilege of attending the official launch of the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) in Hoedspruit.

This exciting initiative is a collaboration between the Maruleng Fire Protection Association NPC Leading Edge Aviation, and Supporting Fire Services South Africa, bringing together aerial and ground firefighting resources to strengthen wildfire response capabilities in our region.

The Quick Reaction Force concept has already proven its value in the Western Cape, where the rapid deployment of helicopters and trained ground crews has helped contain fires during their early stages, reducing the risk of devastating large-scale wildfires. The focus is simple: get resources to the fire fast, attack it early, and prevent a small fire from becoming a disaster.

For us at Tzaneen EST, this represents another important step forward in protecting our communities, natural resources, and livelihoods from the threat of wildfires. We are excited to see this programme take shape in our area and are proud to play a small part in supporting this venture.

A special thank you must also go to the sponsors who have helped make this initiative possible. The support of Old Mutual Insure, Santam, and Hollard highlights the important role that the private sector can play in strengthening disaster preparedness and protecting the communities we serve.

A huge thank you to all the organisations and individuals involved in turning this vision into a reality. We look forward to working alongside our partners as we continue building stronger wildfire response capabilities in Limpopo.

11/06/2026

🌎 EL NIÑO HAS OFFICIALLY RETURNED

Global climate monitoring agencies have officially confirmed the return of El Niño after the phenomenon developed during the past month in the tropical Pacific Ocean.

El Niño is a natural climate pattern that can influence weather across much of the globe, including Southern Africa. While every El Niño event is different, South Africa's summer rainfall regions often experience an increased risk of:

☀️ Hotter-than-normal temperatures
🌧️ Below-normal summer rainfall
🚜 Agricultural drought conditions
💧 Reduced water availability and dam inflows
🔥 Increased veld fire danger
⚡ More frequent and intense heatwaves

It is important to remember that El Niño does not mean drought is guaranteed. Local weather systems can still produce heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms, even during El Niño years.

Forecast models suggest this El Niño may strengthen further during the coming months, making the 2026/27 summer season one to watch closely.

South African Impacts
• The strongest influence is usually felt from spring into summer (September–March).
• The summer rainfall regions of the Free State, North West, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and parts of KwaZulu-Natal are typically most vulnerable to below-normal rainfall.
• Heatwaves often become more frequent and more severe.
• Agriculture, especially maize production, can be negatively affected if rainfall deficits persist.
• Water restrictions become more likely if dam levels begin declining significantly.
• Veld fire risk usually increases due to hotter, drier vegetation conditions.

Storm Report SA will continue monitoring developments and provide updates as new seasonal forecasts become available.

11/06/2026

Reminder that we are in the 2026 fire Season.
We have a few weeks left before the end of controlled burns and fire breaks must be in place.
Remember to obtain approved burning permits before any controlled burning activities can take place to ensure there are enough resources to keep the fire controlled.

No burning is permitted to take place on Fridays and weekends.

Please report any uncontrolled fires to:
The Letaba FPA Fires WhatsApp group or
Letaba FPA Fireline 076 844 1646

09/06/2026

Why Donate to Tzaneen EST?

Tzaneen EST exists because of our community, and we serve because we care about protecting the people, properties, farms, businesses, and natural areas that make our region home.

When a fire breaks out, our volunteers leave their families, step away from their daily lives, and respond to assist wherever they can. They do this freely, without expecting anything in return, because they believe in serving their community.

What many people don't see is that emergency response comes with ongoing costs. Equipment wears out, fuel gets used, safety gear needs replacing, and training is essential to keep our volunteers safe and effective on the fire line.

This is where community support makes all the difference.

There is no such thing as a small donation. Whether it's R20, R50, R100, or more, every contribution has a direct impact on our operations. Every rand helps us purchase equipment, maintain readiness, and ensure that when the call comes in, we can respond.

Your donation isn't going to a large corporation or distant organization—it's helping local volunteers protect the community we all call home.

To every person, family, and business that has supported us: thank you. Your investment in Tzaneen EST is an investment in a safer, stronger, and more fire resilient community.
Together, we make a difference.

07/06/2026

At Tzaneen Emergency Support Team, we are constantly reminded of the incredible people who make this organisation what it is.

Our volunteers show up with smiling faces, even when it's inconvenient. They leave their families, put personal plans on hold, and give up weekends and evenings to train, stand by, and respond when our community needs them most.

Whether it's a wildfire, a training session, or assisting with prescribed burn, our members continue to answer the call with dedication, professionalism, and a positive attitude. They do it not for recognition or reward, but because they genuinely care about protecting and serving the communities around them.

Being a volunteer isn't always easy. It requires commitment, sacrifice, and a willingness to put others first. Yet time and time again, our members step forward without hesitation.

To every member of Tzaneen EST: thank you for your commitment, your hard work, and for always being willing to answer the call. Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and our community is safer because of you.

"Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they simply have the heart."

06/06/2026

SUPPORT THE TEAM THAT SUPPORTS YOU

The Tzaneen Emergency Support Team is proud to provide a free emergency support service to our community. Whether assisting with wildfires, supporting emergency operations, conducting prescribed fire operations, or assisting with storm damage, our volunteers dedicate countless hours to keeping our communities safe.

However, providing this service comes at a cost.
Fuel, equipment maintenance, safety gear, training, communications, vehicle upkeep, and operational expenses all require funding. While our members volunteer their time freely, the resources needed to keep our team operational are not free.

If we want this service to remain sustainable and available when our community needs it most, we need the community's support.

Investing in Tzaneen EST is an investment in community safety. Every donation, sponsorship, fundraising contribution, or offer of assistance helps ensure that our volunteers have the tools and resources they need to respond effectively.

When the call comes, we're there for our community. Today, we're asking our community to be there for us.

For information on how you can support Tzaneen EST, please contact us directly.
ServingOurCommunity

06/06/2026