GRFPA thanks Rustenburg community

Rustenburg – With the official end of the 2025 fire season and the lifting of the “Burn Ban,” the Greater Rustenburg Fire Protection Association (GRFPA) has expressed gratitude to its members and the broader community for their vigilance, teamwork, and cooperation throughout the year.

Chairperson Petra Rough reflected, “We had a very quiet season compared to 2024, and there were no real major threat fires.”

Following the devastating blazes of 2024, which left lasting scars across the region, 2025 saw quicker reporting, faster response times, and stronger collaboration between GRFPA, local landowners, and the Rustenburg Local Municipality Fire Brigade. Although more incidents were logged this year, they were contained swiftly and effectively — a sign of growing preparedness and awareness. Much effort continues to go into understanding why wildfires have become more intense than a decade ago. Changing weather patterns — later winters, shifting winds, and shorter springs — all contribute to unpredictable fire behaviour. Added to this, human expansion through housing, roads, and mining has placed new pressure on nature’s delicate balance.

“Respect and responsibility are synonymous,” GRFPA noted. “As custodians of the land, it is our duty to respect, protect, and preserve it.”

Good rains in October and more predicted for the summer mean lush new vegetation — and, with it, fresh fuel for 2026. The GRFPA urges all landowners to plan ahead, prepare and maintain firebreaks, and remain alert. Stay vigilant. Stay safe. Together, let’s make a greater difference. 

For more information, contact chairperson Petra Rough on 072 988 7116 or the Magaliesberg Land Owners Forum (MLF) representative Clint Kruger on 082 444 4909. Visit www.grfpa.org or the GRFPA Facebook page at facebook.com/GRFPA.