Fires in South Africa

Fires in South Africa

8 February 2010


The MODIS  sensor caught this image of  fires in the Southern Cape, South Africa on 7 and 8 February 2010

(7 February)

(8 February)

Fire update

Monday, February 8, 5pm

 No relief today as fires rage on in Southern Cape

 Wild fires continue to rage through the Southern Cape with 180 veld and forest fire fighters on the ground beating back flames at seven different fires at 5pm today (Monday, February 8).

The teams are made up of fire fighters from a host of partners including the Eden District Municipality, SANParks, CapeNature, the Working on Fire Programme and others.

A further 180 veld and forest fire fighters from the Working on Fire Programme’s KwaZulu Natal and Free State teams have begun arriving in the area to assist with the fire-fighting effort.

Gerhard Otto, Head of Disaster Management in the Southern Cape, said late today the fires were worse rather than better.

“It’s hot, it’s dry, it’s windy and there is just no relief in sight,” he said.

The worst blaze is in Knysna where fire fighters are working to save homes and businesses. The fire is burning in timber, fynbos and old grass.

“Just about anything that can burn is burning,” said Otto.

In Plettenberg Bay a similar fire is also threatening properties,

Helicopters from Working on Fire and the South African National Defence Force including Hueys, Oryx and Alouettes, all fitted with Bambi-buckets, are water bombing the blazes. A WoF Mi8 helicopter is on standby.

“They are coming and going now all the time,” said Otto.

A Disaster Centre that can mobilise all emergency resources was opened in George this morning.

Lizette Heine, Working on Fire’s national dispatch manager, said the decision to open the Disaster Centre, was taken by the Eden District Municipality, which is co-ordinating the fight against wildfires in the area.

A Disaster Centre is only opened under very serious circumstances and includes representation from all emergency personnel including the police, traffic, ambulance and fire brigades, Working on Fire and the district municipalities.

According to Annelize Lamprecht, Fire Chief for the Eden District Municipality, they are fighting fires in the Haarlem area near George, at Kranshoek near Plettenberg Bay, in Knysna at Phantom Pass, in the Rheenendal area as well as two fires in Still Bay. “We anticipate hot weather conditions to continue this week, with no rain to bring to relief”, said Lamprecht.

Zelda Nortier, WoF dispatcher for the Southern region, said conditions were very dry with the wind changing direction all the time. “We have several well established fires that we are battling to put out because of the wind,” she said.

 Issued by HWB Communications Pty Ltd.
On Behalf of Working on Fire
For more information please contact:

Evelyn Holtzhausen
HWB Communications
082 658 6007

Fire update – Monday, February 8, 10:30am

Disaster Centre opened for fires in Southern Cape

A Disaster Centre that can mobilise all emergency resources is to be opened in George in the Southern Cape today (Monday, February 8), following nearly a week of devastating fires in the drought stricken area.

Lizette Heine, Working on Fire’s national dispatch manager, said the decision to open the Disaster Centre, was taken by the Eden District Municipality, which is co-ordinating the fight against wildfires in the area.

A Disaster Centre is only opened under very serious circumstances and includes representation from all emergency personnel including the police, traffic, ambulance and fire brigades, Working on Fire (WoF) and the district municipalities.

At 10am today seven fires were burning in the Southern Cape. Six additional WoF teams of 22 wildfire fighters each, three teams from KwaZulu-Natal and three from the Free State, are enroute to the area to relieve exhausted Southern Cape teams. Working on Fire air resources including Huey helicopters and spotter planes, as well as Oryx helicopters from the South African Air Force are in the area. A Mi8 Helicopter has also been put at the Eden District Municipality’s disposal.

According to Annelize Lamprecht, Fire Chief for the Eden District Municipality, they are fighting fires in the Haarlem area near George, at Kranshoek near Plettenberg Bay, in Knysna at Phantom Pass, in the Rheenendal area as well as two fires in Still Bay. “We anticipate hot weather conditions to continue this week, with no rain to bring to relief”, said Lambrecht.

Zelda Nortier, WoF dispatcher for the Southern region, said conditions were very dry with the wind changing direction all the time. “We have several well established fires that we are battling to put out because of the wind,” she said.

Meanwhile three more teams of WoF wildfire fighters are on their way to help fight a fire in the Stellenbosch/Franschhoek area, where fire fighters have been battling the blaze since Friday. Two more helicopters will also be put on standby for deployment in the area if needed.

Issued by HWB Communications Pty Ltd.
On Behalf of Working on Fire

For more information please contact:

Evelyn Holtzhausen
HWB Communications
082 658 6007

Further information


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