VKLM FIRE
The portal for public information to residents within the Victor Khanye Municipal area on safety
Legal stuff:
- This Website and all of its sub-pages are an independent run website with the pure intention of providing the community residing within the Victor Khanye Local Municipality vital information related to fire and life safety as well as preparation for adverse conditions that may impact all during a disaster or threatening disaster. In NO CIRCUMSTANCES is this page to be considered as an official page of the Victor Khanye Local Municipailty or representing this organization. To stop any allegations it is hereby registered that this site will remain independant and are 100% funded by the owner thereof.
- The Victor Khanye Local Municipal website can be visited at www.vklm.gov.za or www.victorkhanyelm.gov.za
- All weather related data is received or extracted with gratitude from the South African Weather Services (www.weathersa.co.za) with the exception of the UV Index map, which is obtained from SAWX (www.sawx.co.za), temperature graphs are obtained from Accuweather (www.accuweather.com). It may occur that the SAWS site is unavailable at the time of refreshing this page, on which instance the data from Ventusky (www.ventusky.com) are used for graphical representation and with comparison to the meteoblue or ECMWF data from the "Windy" website (www.windy.com) to provide the given data.
- Warnings are issued by the South African Weather Services (SAWS) ONLY in the form of emails or message systems and those relevant to the Victor Khanye Municipal area is published under the "Weather Warnings" box on the main page for information and early warning purposes to the community.
By notice from the Webmaster
Fire Prohibitions effective as from Today, 1 June 2021
South Africa have moved back to Adjusted Level 3 as a result from the rapid rise in infections.
Please adhere to COVID-19 regulations and STAY SAFE
NOTICES / INFORMATION
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome
Rainfall for the past 24-hours
Read 07:00 for previous 24 hours
If you have different readings, please share the info.
Come participate in the recording of rainfall data for VKLM
Go to the Newsflash page to get the info on participation.
You can reach the Webmaster at navrae@vklmfire.co.za for any comments or requests.
Any enquiries on the Delmas FPA can be forwarded to firechief@vklmfire.co.za
We would love to hear from you with inputs, comments or suggestions
** Note: All information on this page was verified as correct at the time of publishing. We attempt to ensure that the web page is updated daily to provide the community with the most recent and relevant information.
2025/02/11
The emergency number for the emergency services have been changed by the municipality Kindly use 013 004 1380 or 080 001 4716 to contact the emergency services
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Have a look under the NEWSFLASH page for the Seasonal Climate Watch media article from the South African Weather Service (SAWS).
Also, safety announcement on Crime tendencies
The maximum expected UV Index for today is 7 (High Risk)
The UV Index will remain highest between 11:00 and 15:00 - Please take the necessary precautions when going out in the sun or having outside activities during days with high UV Indexes. Rehydrate frequently to avoid dehydration. DO NOT use alcohol as a way of hydration, Alcohol have an opposite effect and in fact contribute to dehydration.
Even if overcast conditions are presented, the risk of exposure to dangerous UV light is still there, the clouds only obstruct normal light and the other sun exposures, but UV can penetrate through the clouds and still cause exposure.
The UV Index is explained under the Activities page
Please also look at the newsflash page with regards to a short update on the long term weather expectations as well as anticipated effects from global warming on our area.
Below is a UV-index map as provided for by www.sawx.co.za
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PLEASE TAKE URGENT NOTE:
After a few recent incidents it is with great discomfort that the following are announced here:
The Provincial Ambulance Services are NOT part of the Fire Department or the Local Municipality since 1 April 1998. The Ambulance services are administered directly by the Department of Health on Provincial level and are based at the hospitals with a district call centre in Middelburg. All calls are dispatched through their call centre.
However, the Fire Department is trying to assist the community it serves in providing an access port to the Ambulance services.
The numbers for the Ambulance dispatch are on the Emergency numbers link at the top right of this page.
We are fully aware that when members of the community phone for an ambulance, it is usually under stressfull situations, but the aggressive and accusative temperament will no longer be tolerated towards a function or responsibility that the Fire Department are not responsible, nor accountable for. We sincerely hope that this matter will be understood and if there are any frustrations, to take it up with the Provincial Health Department.
In addition, it will only waste your time to call the Chief Fire Officer and scream, swear and threaten him for the inefficiency of the ambulance services, it is outside his hands to intervene as well. Rather lodge a complaint at the Mpumalanga Department of Health or at the Presidential complaints email as given on the Newsflash page
A humble request is made to community members who keep records of rainfall in their area to assist in providing rainfall data for the past four years as well as current data.
The contact information can be found on the newsflash page (right side at rainfall data).
The information is requested to create a more reliable and holistic representation of rainfall for the VKLM area as well as assisting in research on this matter.
Your help can contribute towards Disaster Management research.
Weather Forecast for Victor Khanye Region:
01 April 2025
Tuesday
The emergency lines for the Emergency Management Services is 0136652939 and 087 288 0762, in the event of network failures or there is challenges with the numbers please contact the Chief Fire Officer direct on Cell 083 377 3532
But ONLY after you have tried to connect with the Fire Department Control Room. (A link to additional emergency numbers are available at the Top Right of the page)
18 mm (Delmas)
South African Weather Service website was unavailable at time of updating, Data extracted from Windy.com
Welcome, this website have been visited times
Site updated: 01 April 2025
The Delmas Fire Protection Association Main web page.
A link to the site can also be found under the Index Tab "D-FPA". Or select button to the left
Description: Flooding / Heavy Rain
Flooding occurs when water overflows its normal channels such as streams and storm water drains. It can occur with prolonged period of rain, with continuous heavy falls or in the form of flash floods which are usually associated with severe thunderstorms. Heavy rain may also result in river flooding causing damage downstream to areas that may receive no rainfall at all during the flooding event.
Precautions: Flooding / Heavy Rain
If possible stay indoors and off the roads, avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams where water is above your ankles. If trapped in flooding in a vehicle, abandon it and climb to higher ground. In buildings, move valuables to a safe place above the expected flood level. Switch off electricity at the supply point to the building. In rural areas protect/relocate animals to a safe place on higher ground. Abandon your home immediately if evacuation is recommended, before access is cut off by flood water. NEVER drive on a road covered by water. You do not know how deep it is or if the road has been washed away. If the vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and seek higher ground. Be especially cautious at night when it's harder to recognize flood dangers.
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Description: Severe Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms are violent weather phenomena that can be very dangerous. Any thunderstorm can produce any combination of lightning, flash flooding, very strong winds, hail and in some cases tornadoes.
Precautions: Severe Thunderstorms
If outdoors seek shelter immediately but DO NOT seek shelter, under a tree, under telephone and/or power lines, on hilltops, in isolated sheds, under unprotected gazebo’s or picnic shelters.
Avoid being near metal objects such as: - fences, golf carts, telephone or power lines and steel structures such as pylons and windmills. Do not: - hold any metal object, use any electrical appliance, use the telephone, take a bath or shower. Do not play sport during thunderstorms. Golfers and fishermen are at high risk.
If possible stay indoors well clear of windows shelter pets and cover vehicles, disconnect electrical appliances.
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Description: Extremely High Temperatures also known as Heatwave conditions
When temperature and the humidity is high at the same time or when the temperature exceeds a certain threshold, human’s ability to cool their bodies through sweating is reduced. This can be a real threat that leads to hyperthermia.
Precautions: Extremely High Temperatures
Stay indoors in a cool room near a fan if possible. The old and infirm must take extra care to stay hydrated and cool. Avoid strenuous outdoor activity, playing excessive sport and hard labour. Dress in light weight clothes and drink plenty of liquids NOT alcohol.
Listen to the radio or TV or Community information media groups for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.
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Description: Extremely High Fire Danger
When conditions deteriorate to an extend where the Fire Danger Index calculates above 75 (Very High {RED}), the possibility of a fire outbreak becomes dangerous and the possibility of runaway grass fires are almost certain. With the dry conditions, high wind and high ambient temperatures most of the conditions are met for a fire to ignite easily. as the fire grows, so does the increasing ambient temperatures and subsequently the fire grows exponentially.
Precautions: Extremely High Fire Danger
Do not start any fires in the outdoor. Do not leave any fire unattended, including fires made in areas intended for food preparation. Land owners must be vigilant in controlling processes that may ignite a fire or cause a fire. Have fire fighting equipment at the ready and keep an eye for signs of a fire. Act fast to ensure the fire is controlled and extinguished in the shortest, safest possible time. Do not leave your property unattended, if you have to go out, make sure someone keeps an eye on your property.
WEATHER WATCH, ADVISORY OR WARNING INFORMATION EXPLANATIONS
TODAY'S WEATHER
News and info related to Fire and Disaster Management and incidents of note
Public Awareness is a new edition to the Fire Safety initiative. The page will provide relevant information on fire safety awareness in addition to the Home Fire Safety Page
Partial Satellite view of Indian and Atlantic ocean clouds as at 06:30 this morning
Save the following somewhere to be reached quickly:
Inform the Victor Khanye Disaster Management at
087 288 0762 or 083 377 3532 of any incidents that may occur due to adverse weather. Please indicate area affected, contact details for refrence, the type of incident and if any specific dangers exist.
Updated 4-Day forecast with as extracted from Windy.com
~ March 2025~
The Victor Khanye Fire Department, Fire Brigade Services By-Laws have been promulgated on 27 March 2020.
The By-Laws have been published under Mpumalanga Provincial Gazette 3145 dated 27 March 2020.
Also visit the Fire Safety Library for relevant application forms as well as the Trading By-Law and Liquor Trading By-Law. Visit the Victor Khanye Local Municipality's webpage for other By-Laws as well
Advisory
No advisories for today
Hazard:
None for today
VKLM Disaster Management Plan Review
The review of the Disaster Management Plan for VKLM have started. Go to the Disaster Management information page (HERE) to download the plan and information on how to participate, and lets all contribute to reviewing and building an integrated Disaster Risk Management Plan
For description of warning or advisory, scroll down to bottom of this page...
Go to the Weather service website for more information at https://www.weathersa.co.za/home/warnings
Some functionality of our site will be unavailable due to a Cyber Attack on the SAWS website. They are working to find the breach and restore services. SAWS Apologized for the interruption of services
The Fire Department emergency numbers have changed. the new numbers are 08000 14716 (Toll free) and 013 004 1380
Tropical Cyclone - Courtney
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CYCLONE SEASON