As South Africa enters the high-risk winter fire season, Sappi Southern Africa has announced that it reflects not only on the serious threats that fires pose to forests, communities and livelihoods — but on the discipline and readiness it takes to confront them.
July marks one year since the tragic loss of seven firefighters during a devastating blaze in KwaZulu-Natal — a painful reminder of the real stakes that lie behind every incident report, red flag warning and firebreak. Their legacy drives a renewed resolve across the industry to invest in people, protocols and partnerships that turn risk into readiness, says Sappi.
Firefighting is not seasonal at Sappi — it is a year-round commitment, and every year the 'Regional Sappi Fire Readiness Competitions' are held, this year hosted at Richmond in KwaZulu-Natal and Ndubazi in Mpumalanga, to showcase the power of applied training under pressure. These events bring together Sappi's forestry frontline firefighters to sharpen their skills and test their strength in a spirit of camaraderie. Far from mere competition, this is where technique meets teamwork — echoing the very principles that underpin our safety culture, including the 'Stop and Think Before You Act' initiative. Sappi believes that it's through readiness that resilience is built, says the company.
The events draw teams from across the company's forestry management units, competing in scenarios that mirror real-life operational demands: hose laying under time constraints, pump start-ups under fault conditions, mobile unit deployment, defensive fire line cutting and rapid ascent fitness drills simulating steep terrain. Judges assess response time, technique, stamina and team command and coordination — the same variables that determine success on the fire-line, adds the company.
"These competitions are not just an internal benchmark, they're part of how we maintain operational discipline and stress-test our capacity," says Duane Roothman, Vice President of Sappi Forests. "We build muscle memory for the critical minutes that matter most. From proto-team drills to equipment protocols, our model is based on accountability, simulation and real-time readiness."
Sappi's commitment to year-round fire preparedness is embedded in its integrated fire management programme, implemented across its forestry regions spanning over 400 000 hectares in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. Each district maintains updated suppression plans and undergoes annual readiness audits, including FITPA-aligned training verification, PPE (personal protection equipment) and tool checks, vehicle compliance assessments and command structure simulations, says the company.
Training extends to all forestry personnel and contractors, covering everything from basic firefighting and proto-team leadership to health and safety compliance, fire boss responsibilities and defensive driving. Weekly fitness routines for firefighting teams, including timed runs over varied terrain, ensure operational readiness under strain. In addition, Sappi conducts full fire simulations with incident command centre activation and designated radio channels, replicating live-fire decision-making and coordination, adds the company.
Further strengthening this approach is Sappi's active membership in local Fire Protection Associations (FPAs) and local farmer networks. These partnerships ensure mutual support on early detection, resource sharing and aerial response — critical during peak fire alerts or multi-front suppression scenarios. Compliance with the National Veld and Forest Fire Act is ensured through regular firebreak maintenance and inter-agency coordination, says the company.
"Preparedness doesn't start when the smoke is visible," adds Roothman. "It starts with data, drills, dialogue — and a firm understanding that every prevention effort is a value multiplier for our people and assets."
While National Wildland Firefighter Day is officially recognised in the United States on 2 July, its spirit resonates strongly here in South Africa — particularly within our forestry communities, where this time of year coincides with our own peak fire season. We use this moment to acknowledge the extraordinary dedication of our firefighting teams, contractors and partners — not only as a gesture of solidarity with the global fire management community, but as a reaffirmation of our local commitment to year-round readiness, prevention and collaboration, says the company.
"We may not observe the same calendar date nationally, but the urgency and principle remain the same. July in South Africa is fire season — and it demands a level of preparedness that goes beyond compliance. It's about protecting landscapes, livelihoods and life itself," says Roothman.
This moment offers a powerful opportunity to highlight best practice, share innovation and honour those who quite literally walk toward the fire — wherever they are in the world, concludes Sappi.
For more information, visit www.sappi.com. You can also follow Sappi Southern Africa on Facebook, LinkedIn, or on X.
*Image courtesy of contributor