Tshwane Residents urged to stay vigilant amid extreme heat and veld fire threats
Mapaballo Borotho
• The City of Tshwane has issued an urgent warning about extremely dangerous veld fire conditions across Gauteng.
• The Fire Danger Index above 75 signals a high risk of fires spreading rapidly, threatening lives and property.
• Residents are urged to stay alert, follow safety measures, and report any signs of fire immediately.
Emergency services in the City of Tshwane have warned residents of disastrous veld fires that have the potential to damage buildings.
The warning follows the Red Fire Danger Index issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) for extremely dangerous veld fire conditions across most parts of Gauteng.
“According to the warning, these extremely dangerous veld fire conditions are expected to persist from Sunday, 26 October 2025, at about 10:00 until approximately 19:59. The Fire Danger Index above 75 indicates conditions under which fires can develop easily and spread rapidly, often resulting in significant damage to property, vegetation, and the potential loss of human and animal life,” read the statement from the City’s Emergency Services Department.
It has been reported that hot and windy weather conditions further increase the risk of runaway veld and bush fires, which can also intensify existing fires across the region.
The Emergency Services Department across Pretoria is on high alert and has firefighting teams on standby to respond swiftly to any reported incidents.
Residents have been urged to take all possible measures and, at the first sign of smoke or fire, act quickly to bring it under control.
The City urges residents to remain alert and adopt the following critical fire safety precautions during this period:
* Never leave children unattended near heaters, fires, or open flames.
* Avoid illegal electricity connections — they pose severe fire and electrocution risks.
* Do not overload electrical outlets or extension cords.
* Never leave coal fires or open flames burning overnight without supervision.
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