FIREFIGHTERS spent several hours battling more than 29 veld fires around Nelson Mandela Bay yesterday.
By 2pm, nine veld fires were reported to be burning at once, forcing fire fighters to split resources and rush from one scene to another.
From 8am to 4pm, a total of 19 fires were reported. By 8pm, 10 more were reported.
Fires were reported in areas along Marine Drive near the Willows resort, Bloemendal, Algoa Park, Deal Party, Zwide, Joe Slovo, Adcockville, Bethelsdorp, Arcadia, Walker Drive, Kabega, Kuyga, KwaNobuhle and Motherwell.
According to fire officials, none of the blazes were a threat to property or lives.
Municipal spokesman Mthubanzi Mniki said firefighters were extremely busy yesterday.
"The heat is not helping as the veld is very dry. Another factor that causes the fire to rapidly spread is the wind," he said.
"In areas like KwaNobuhle and Motherwell we had more than one fire incident."
He said they suspected the fires were caused by cigarette butts thrown into dry veld and braais left unattended.
The bush fire season in the Bay ran from November to March, Mniki said, and he urged residents to be extra vigilant in preventing fires.
Police spokesman Warrant- Officer Alwin Labans said they were monitoring the fires and would assist only if the fire department needed help.
