As world leaders, experts and activists look for ways to slow down climate change at the United Nations Climate
Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, an American research study found that global warming was
essentially two-thirds to 88% responsible for the atmospheric conditions fuelling increasingly destructive wildfires.
Historically, the looming Western Cape summer fire season between December and April, is known for higher-than-
normal fire risk when prevailing hot, dry, windy weather exacerbates the conditions under which firefighters and
rescue teams battle blazes. According to Santam’s Insurance Barometer Report 2020/2021, there were a number of
large-scale fires and explosion-related losses across South Africa in the past 18 months of lockdown, including the
devastating Table Mountain National Park fire in April 2021 which damaged parts of the University of Cape Town.
Santam says that 99% of all fires are the result of human negligence and that homeowners, especially those in
wildland-urban interface areas due to their proximity of flammable vegetation, can do their part when it comes to
disaster preparedness, by taking smart steps to mitigate risks. Fire season is a real and present risk over this time
of year and residents need to be alert to the dangers fire poses to properties and possessions. Cigarettes, matches
and lighters, candles, heating appliances and open braai fires can all cause fires if not carefully monitored. In summer
2020/2021, Santam recorded 652 fire-related claims.