With winter in full swing, CWDM Fire Services know that many farmers and landowners have collected a lot of waste over the summer months. Traditionally, this is done in late autumn and winter, when there is a much lower risk of the fire spreading to valuable areas.
Readers may not be aware of this, but there is no municipal garbage collection on farms, like one has in towns, farmers need to manage their own household and farming waste products. (Farming is not always rosy!). Non-recyclable household waste, such as used nappies and sanitary towels, pressurized cannisters, paint tins plastic wrappers etc. are collected and taken to the local landfill. While items such as agricultural off cuts, poles, prunings etc. are burned.
But farmers and landowners may not just collect their garbage and burn it. A permit needs to be obtained. There are a few reasons that a permit is required.
- The permit informs Fire Services where and when a burn will take place
- The permit allows Fire Officers to visit the burn site prior to the burning to ensure that the area is safe and that no dangerous items are being burnt.
- The permit ensures that both farmers and fire services are informed of safety procedures required before, during and after a burn.
- All rural Municipality’s have by-laws that in accordance with the National Veld and Forest Fire Act (Act 101 of 1998) prohibit the setting of fires under certain conditions.
For many years permits were available from the Winelands Fire Protection Association (WFPA), who serves as an interface between landowners and CWDM’s Fire Services.
However, this has now changed, as from 1 July 2026 all landowners need to apply for the Burn Permits via CWDM’s website, www.capewinelands.gov.za. This includes FPA members.
The following costs are applicable:
- Non- member R632.50 excluding VAT
- FPA Members R316.25
For more information and assistance please contact the Winelands FPA on 079 6564 673 or Fire Officer, Jaco Thuynsma on 021 888 5824 or drop him an email at jst@capewinelands.gov.za
You need to apply for the permit 10 – 14 days before you plan to burn, this is to allow time for the visit by the fire officer. Step one is getting your burn site ready, then you apply for a permit, once the fire officer has visited, a permit will be issued that will allow you to set fire to the burn site under certain conditions.