Wildfire Response – Lushof North, Tzaneen
Incident Date: 14 September 2025 Location: Lushof North, Tzaneen area OB Reference: OB/0005
Initial Report:
On 14 September 2025, a wildfire was reported in the Lushof North area near Tzaneen.
The operational record notes that the initial fire report was received from the Red Fire Tower at approximately 11:32. Contact was subsequently made with the landowner, and a fire was confirmed on the property.
Situation on Arrival:
The fire was burning in an agricultural area containing macadamia trees and had already affected irrigation infrastructure.
Property access and access to the fire site were recorded as satisfactory, while the property's firebreaks and available firefighting equipment were also recorded as being in place.
A significant operational challenge, however, was the availability of water.
A wider electricity outage affecting the Greater Tzaneen area meant that water could not be pumped normally, making firefighting refills more difficult.
Asterix Response:
The team assisted with wildfire suppression using the skid unit and available firefighting resources.
The skid unit was refilled twice during the operation. Due to the electricity-related water shortage, other skid units were also used to keep active firefighting units supplied with water.
Fire-suppression additive was also used during operations.
By approximately 14:40, the fire was recorded as being mostly contained.
Overnight Flare-Up:
The occurrence book further records that at approximately 01:00 on 15 September 2025, the fire flared up again.
The Asterix team did not attend this later flare-up because, according to the operational record, the team was not notified of the renewed fire.
Public-Safety Message:
Wildfires can reignite after the main fire front appears to have been contained, particularly where heat remains in vegetation, organic material or other fuel.
Landowners should continue monitoring recently burnt areas and ensure adequate firefighting resources and water supplies remain available until the area is considered safe.
South Africa's National Veld and Forest Fire Act places responsibilities on landowners regarding firebreaks, preparedness and taking reasonable steps to prevent the spread of veldfires.
Asterix The Long Firefighting Dog NPC
Fire & Emergency Support Service
