Fires in South Africa
Fires in South Africa
27 December 2009
The MODIS on the Terra satellite caught this image of a fire in South Africa on 26 December 2009 at 8:35 UTC. Various points on the coastline are identifiable – Danger Point is the sharp peninsula protruding in the west. The fire is just north and west of Quoin Point. Cape Agulhas is to the east. The fire is marked by red dots, and the large plume of smoke blows westward over Agulas and the ocean. Cape Town is to the west, out of frame.
There were reports of a fire near this region (between Pearly Beach and Agulhas) on Christmas eve, local time. It is possible that this is the same fire. That fire was spread because of strong winds. Residents were warned of possible flare-ups after the blaze was finally extinguished. According to reports, 50,000 hectares of veld and several buildings were destroyed. One man is dead of injuries sustained while fighting the fire.
(source: earth observatory)
Veld fires ravage Overberg
27 December 2009
published by www.news24.com
One person has been injured in veld fires that have ravaged parts of Cape Agulhas in the Overberg Region, the fire department said on Sunday. “One person is in the Intensive Care Unit [in hospital] after being seriously injured… They were caught in the fire,” said Chief Fire Officer Reinard Geldenhuys. Nine structures, including three homesteads and six surrounding buildings were destroyed in the fire. About 40 000ha of land were destroyed. Geldenhuys said that the fire started on Thursday at 23:00 in the Buffelsjag region. It was contained until a wind change caused it to spread again on Friday. “After another wind change it ran quickly to [Cape] Agulhas.” Geldenhuys said by late on Sunday morning the fire was contained. “There is one helicopter doing waterbombing,” he said.
