Integrated Wildfire Management

About Us

Enviro Wildfire Services was initially formed in 2009 as an NPO, by 2018 the organisation had earned a well-established reputation for skilled, knowledgeable and reliable delivery both off and on the fire-line. The core team saw opportunity to expand the service offering and transition from an NPO to a commercial enterprise, Enviro Wildfire (Pty) Ltd. With some structural changes in 2024, we decided to change the business name to, Integrated Wildfire Management (Pty) Ltd.

Today, the company provides a range of Integrated services to formal firefighting agencies, wildfire organisations and private landowners. Guided by fundamental principles of safety and risk management, we aim to be South Africa’s premiere Integrated Wildfire Management organisation.

With some structural changes in 2024, we decided to change the business name to, Integrated Wildfire Management (Pty) Ltd

Today, the company provides a range of Integrated services to formal firefighting agencies, wildfire organisations and private landowners. Guided by fundamental principles of safety and risk management, we aim to be South Africa’s premiere integrated wildfire management organisation.

The Team

Kim Da Ribeira

Certified Crew Boss (Qualified 2007)Certified FI210 – Wildfire Origin and Cause Determination (Qualified 2015) Kim joined Volunteer Wildfire Services in 2004 and since then has developed a comprehensive set of wildfire management skills. She loves the challenges and learning opportunities inherent in working with planned and unplanned wildfires. Based in Napier, she works closely with clients in the Overberg and frequently travels further afield. A patient and meticulous observer, she specialises in risk assessments and fire management plans. She has particular interest in facilitation and training.

Petra Kranenburg

Certified Crew Boss (Qualified 2008) Shemtrac Safety Officers Course (Qualified 2021) Petra’s involvement with fires started when she joined Volunteer Wildfire Services in 2006. She was attracted to the challenges of firefighting and the meaningful urgency of the work. She became a permanent part of the Enviro team in 2011. Petra is based in Cape Town. Petra heads up Fire Safety at Outdoor Events, manages equipment sales and provides training in wildfire fighting skills.

Our Guiding Principles

Safety

Our priority is always to maintain a flawless safety record on the fireline.

Reliability

We aim to consistently deliver to the highest professional standards.

Education

Through the promotion of sound fire management planning and education

Community

We work for the benefit of communities and the environment.

Our Services

We provide integrated wildfire support services with an emphasis on safety and promoting sound fire management planning and education

Fire Management Plans

Our Fire Management Plans are developed in conjunction with the landowner, local fire department and the Fire Protection Association for the area. We draft comprehensive fire risk and management plans for both commercial and residential properties. Our Plans aim to be practical and focus on deliverables that are achievable.

· Identify and advise on mitigating fire risk to internal and external areas.
· Offer practical methods for training staff and/or residents on effective fire response.
· Recommend appropriate firefighting equipment and maintenance schedules.
· Review compliance with the National Veld & Forest Fire Act and necessary.

Wildfire Investigations

Determining the Origin and Cause of a wildfire can assist with insurance claims and legal proceedings

Kim is our qualified wildfire investigator undertaking forensic origin and cause investigations. Our list of clients includes government agencies and environmental organizations.
· Origin and Cause investigations.
· Preliminary investigations and opinions.
· Full forensic investigations.

Fire Safety for Outdoor Events

Integrated Wildfire Management has been providing fire safety at outdoor events since 2010 and our team has developed an excellent reputation

Integrated Wildfire Management has been providing fire safety at outdoor events since 2010 and our team has developed an excellent reputation and is well versed with identifying the fire risks associated with outdoor events and is instrumental in advising event organizers and landowners in ways to mitigate these risks. We provide fire prevention, fire safety and firefighting services for outdoor events and film shoots.

Prescribed and Stack Burning

We plan and implement prescribed and stack burning operations for ecological, fuel reduction management and fire risk purposes.

Integrated Wildfire Management conducts prescribed and stack-burning operations throughout the Western Cape, often in conjunction with other agencies or combined with training sessions. We plan and implement prescribed and stack burning operations for ecological, fuel reduction management and fire risk purposes. We conduct a preliminary site visit to assess the client’s objectives and requirements, after which we will prepare a proposal for sign-off including budget, timeline and burning operation procedures

Firebreaks

Integrated Wildfire Management has significant experience in planning, developing and maintaining well-positioned, legally compliant firebreaks for either strategic internal firebreaks or boundary firebreaks as required by law.

Firefighting Assistance

Integrated Wildfire Management are able to assist local authorities and landowners with resources for additional firefighting assistance. We have assisted SANParks, Cape Nature, the Overstrand Municipality, the Overberg Municipality, the Eden District and various Fire Protection Associations and their members. We have extensive experience in structural protection.

Firefighting Equipment

Integrated Wildfire Management can source and provide a variety of veldfire firefighting equipment and protective clothing from local suppliers.

Training

We offer training courses that provide the knowledge and skills required to be safe on the fire line.

Basic Wildfire Training Course (1 Day)

This course was developed specifically for landowners and their staff to provide them with the knowledge and skills required to be safe on the fire line. The practical session includes training in the correct use of firefighting equipment, where the trainees get an opportunity to use the equipment and practice communications as used on the fire line.

Fire Manager Course (2 days)

This course was developed to assist farm and reserve managers to make educated and safe decisions on the fire line. Many farm and reserve managers are required to manage fires on their property in the absence of a competent wildfire authority. The course covers knowledge of fire behavior, wildfire strategy, resource management, record keeping, leadership skills on the fire line and basic Incident command Structure practices. The curriculum will allow trainees to make educated decisions. A day is spent doing scenario training using the knowledge gained.

Fire extinguisher training

The practical does and don’ts for the effective use of fire extinguishers in your work place. You will learn about the different types of fires and the correct way to use a fire extinguisher to effectively put out a fire while ensuring yours and others safety as a priority.

Youth Awareness Programmes

We have many years’ experience in presenting awareness and education programmes for youth. Programmes are tailored to meet the age and abilities of the group and can be presented at schools, community centres or at selected sites.

Crew Leader Course (3 days)

Learn how to apply knowledge and understanding of fire behavior to supervise a fire suppression team. Crew leaders supervise teams on the fire line and they need to effectively direct their team members.