Fires in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana
11 September 2001
GFMC Correspondent Report
from Cape Town, South Africa
10 September 2001
“Hell month” that’s
how my friend from Malawi described the smoke filled the September skies of
southern Africa. With a summer rainfall regime, winter is dry season over most
of southern Africa and fires begin occurring in July and peak in September
creating an area of free burning fires unrivalled on earth.
Two consecutive years of abundant rains across the region have lead to an above
normal accumulation of grasses and herbs which are now at very low moisture
levels due to a combination of frost, lack of rain and the baking late winter
African sun. This has created a potential for fires in areas that normally do
not have the fuel load to support fire spread and increased the intensity of
fires in normally fire prone areas. Fires are viewed as a normal occurrence this
time of year in southern Africa and they mostly go unreported and ignored
regardless of any negative effects they may cause. However some fires turned
deadly and did get attention.
On 5 September 2001, a fire in Kruger Park, South Africa killed 23 people.
Nineteen local residents who had been hired to cut grass for thatch fled as the
fire, fanned by high winds, advanced on their temporary camp and were trapped.
Four game rangers died in an attempt to rescue them.
The next day 20 people died in fires that raced through parts of KwaZulu-Natal,
to the south. Six children were burnt to death inside
a locked room, an 83-year-old woman died fleeing the flames, 55 cattle were
burnt along with 20 homesteads. Four others were killed as fire engulfed their
car.
In Zimbabwe, where farm takeovers and land issues have caused strife fire
appears to have been used a weapon in that conflict. A fire burnt through much
of the Matopo National Park near Bulawayo. Many animals in the park were killed
and the effect of tourism has been severe. The fire was suspected to be set by
self-styled war veterans in a attempt to sabotage the local safari business.
There have also been reports of widespread fires in Botswana. However details
are unavailable.
Meanwhile hundreds if not thousands of other fires burn through the savannas and
woodlands of southern Africa as they always have. Back in Cape Town with its
Mediterranean climate the winter still has a tight grip with gale force winds
and drenching rains. Its cold and time to build a fire in the fire place.
Michael
Calvin
Hout Bay, South Africa
e-mail: mcalvin@worldonline.co.za
For further information about the previous days and a satellite image from
Kruger National Park please go to:
Fire Casualties in South Africa (10 September)