GFMC: ZA
Firesin South Africa
05 September 2003
In August and September 2003 South Africa experienced severe wildfires with dramatic econonmic losses.
Particularly the Northern Province,
Mpumalanga, Kwazulu-Natal and Eastern Cape Regions. Parts of Mpumalanga were declared a disaster area. In this region alone, damage exceeds US$ 60 million (50 000 ha) . Some lives were also lost in Mpumalanga (one fire fighter ran over by a fire truck in thick smoke) and in the Eastern Cape, while some people are still fighting for their lives in hospitals after being burned over. Scores of farmsteads, houses, saw mills and other buildings were destroyed, and lots of cattle and sheep also died.
The FFA and the FPA had set up an ICS at Nelspruit and were running large scale fire fighting operations, including military helicopters.
Satellite Images, starting 20 August to 4 September:
20 August 2003.
2km resolution
Click on image for 500m resolution.(2.5 MB)
21 August 2003.
2km resolution
Click on image for 500m resolution.(2.5 MB)
Dozens of large fires were burning in Sout Africa on 23 August 2003.
Numerous land use fires can be seen in Angola, Zambia and Mozambique.
2km resolution
Click on image for 500m resolution.(2.5 MB)
24 August 2003.
2km resolution
Click on image for 500m resolution.(2.5 MB)
26 August 2003.
Increasing fire Intensities in the plantation areas of South Africa and numerous land use fire north of the Okavango Delta.
2km resolution
Click on image for 500m resolution.(2.5 MB)
27 August 2003.
2km resolution
Click on image for 500m resolution.(2.5 MB)
28 August 2003.
2km resolution
Click on image for 500m resolution.(2.5 MB)
29 August 2003.
2km resolution
Click on image for 500m resolution.(2.5 MB)
30 August 2003.
2km resolution
Click on image for 500m resolution.(2.5 MB)
02 September 2003.
2km resolution
Click on image for 500m resolution.(2.5 MB)
04 September 2003.
Burning season in Angola and Zambia is on! As these fires are mainly land use fires no damage or econonmic loss was reported.
2km resolution
Click on image for 500m resolution.(2.5 MB)
Source: Modis
Further Information and links at:
https://gfmc.online/GlobalNetworks/Africa/Afrifirenet.html
More News from South African Fires at:
https://gfmc.online/media-highlights-on-fire-policies-and-politics.html