Fires in the Cape
Firesin the Western Cape
24 December 2005
A red fire danger day has heralded the start of the Christmas holiday period, with strong winds and fire danger weather predicted for the next two days, putting all firefighting resources on full alert.
Western Cape firefighting partners combined resources to rapidly attack a fire that started above Camps Bay this morning. Despite deployment of four helicopters, Table Mountain National Park staff and volunteers, 2 Working on Fire ground crews and City of Cape Town ground support, at noon today the wildfire, fanned by strong winds, was still out of control and moving towards Tafelberg Road. The cablecar station has been evacuated. No homes are reported in danger at this time.
AQUA
24 December 2005
15:35 hrs UTC
click on image for a 250 m resolution
A fire has also been reported at Kosavo informal settlement on the Cape Flats. City of Cape Town Fire and Emergency Services aided by 4 fixed wing bomber aircraft and a spotter plane were deployed and the fire is now reported as contained . First reports estimate approximately 100 informal homes lost with no reports ofinjury.
The public is requested to be especially careful with braai and cooking fires and reminded that there is a ban on open air fires in fire prone natural areas during the fireseason.
