Forest Fires in South Africa

10 July 2002

Unusually dry and windy weather conditions caused several large forest fires in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.

Latest Satelite Image

Image showing heat signatures and smoke plumes in South Africa,
9 July 2002

Situation Report 

• Lowveld and Escarpment (Nelspruit)
  We had 7 Fire and one is still out of control in the Sabie area as I speak at 02h30 in the morning.
  The two you where on are both out.
• Piet Retief
  The are that mike Assad is in charge of.
  A total of 9 Fire of which 9 are out of control.
  The situation might change when we have our session at 05h00
• Warbuton.
  Total of 9 Fire all under control.
• Ermelo
  They had 5 Fires and are still out of control.
• Delmas
  They had three fires all are under control.
• Witbank
  Three fires all under control.
• Standerton 
  Two large fires one still out of control.
  One farmer in intensive care in a serious condition with burn wounds.10 structure destroyed in the fire.
• Secundsa
  2 Fires both under control.
  SOURCE: Forest Fire Association, Johan Heine, Chris Austin

Visual Impressions
Pictures taken by GFMC operator, flying on board a spotter aircraft of FFA.

For more information on fires in South Africa: See contributions in International Forest Fire News (IFFN): South Africa

See also the South Africa Photo Archive.

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