PAFPA - Rules and Regulations

"The law provides for landowners to establish a fire protection association in an area where there are regular wildfires, fairly uniform vegetation, climate or risk of wildfires;
The purpose of a fire protection association is predicting, preventing, managing and extinguishing veldfires. It seeks to achieve this through co-operation between landowners, the co-ordination of fire prevention efforts and the sharing of fire fighting resources." Quote from a Firewise publication.

We wish to encourage all landowners within our boundaries to join in the effort to reduce the harm that wildfires cause.

HERE IS A LINK TO A COMPREHENSIVE AND INFORMATIVE CSIR WEBSITE DEALING WITH WILDFIRES IN SOUTH AFRICA

Every property must have a system of fire breaks in place.

1. The fire breaks must be on the boundary of the property unless there is an exemption granted by the Minister or an agreement with an adjoining landowner that the fire breaks be located elsewhere.
2. The breaks must be 'sufficient to control the spread of wildfires'.
3. Firebreaks may not be burnt during times when there is a high fire risk. 
4.Firebreaks may only be burnt in terms of a valid permit.


Presumption of Negligence

If a person brings civil proceedings and proves that:
(a) he or she suffered a loss;
(b) the loss was caused by a wildfire; and
(c) the wildfire started on or spread from land owned by the defendant, the defendant is presumed to have acted negligently in relation to the wildfire unless:
(i) the defendant proves that he or she was not negligent; or
(ii) the defendant is a member of an FPA in the area where the fire occurred, in which case the person bringing the claim must prove that he or she was negligent.

Here are important links to download  printable documents to inform yourself of the requirements of the law:

THE CURRENT REGULATIONS IN FORCE IN PAFPA;
THE CURRENT FIRE PROHIBITION NOTICE;
A SUMMARY OF THE ACT DRAFTED BY PAFPA;
THE FULL TEXT OF THE VELD AND FOREST FIRE ACT;
THE LATEST AVAILABLE PENALTIES LAID DOWN IN TERMS OF THE ACT.

This page was updated on 11 April 2024

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this website is accurate and up to date, neither Pafpa nor its agents accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions herein

During fire prohibitions, usually from 1 May to 31 October, no burning may take place without a valid burning permit.

Click here to see the current Fire Prohibition notice
Click here to see the current Pafpa Rules and Regulations.



Quote from a Firewise publication:

"Do I have to have a fire break on my property?

  • Yes - the basic rule is that every property must have fire breaks along the boundary. This means that the roads authorities must also establish breaks along public roads.

  • However, you can agree in writing with your neighbour or within your Fire Protection Association that the breaks will be located somewhere else on one of your properties.

  • The costs of a fire break must be shared between the people who have to establish them."

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