Werner Vermaak ER24 - More photos of #woodmead fire. Courtesy @emmavspgp
Showing posts with label Bushfires. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bushfires. Show all posts
Friday, 29 March 2013
25 cars destroyed in Woodmead fire
Johannesburg - A fire that destroyed around 25 cars in Woodmead on Friday was extinguished by 2pm, emergency services said.
“The fire is completely out and the exact cause of the fire is unknown at this stage,” Johannesburg emergency services spokeswoman Nana Radebe said.
“There are a lot of stories including that the fire was caused by two children playing with fireworks and the grass caught fire. At this stage it can't be confirmed and we will investigate the incident.”
She said people at the scene had alleged that children were playing with fireworks on the grass parking area and the grass caught fire and “quickly spread” to the vehicles.
ER24 spokesman Werner Vermaak said there were no injuries.
“Paramedics and rescue personnel are on the scene. No injuries have been reported and I can confirm that the fire is out. The cars were parked on a grass parking,” he said.
Vermaak said they first received a call about the fire at 11.45am.
Most of the cars belonged to Muslim men who had gathered at Mia's Farm for a weekend of spiritual rejuvenation.
The event had been arranged by the Waterval Islamic Institute.
Police could not immediately comment.
- Sapa/IOL
“The fire is completely out and the exact cause of the fire is unknown at this stage,” Johannesburg emergency services spokeswoman Nana Radebe said.
“There are a lot of stories including that the fire was caused by two children playing with fireworks and the grass caught fire. At this stage it can't be confirmed and we will investigate the incident.”
She said people at the scene had alleged that children were playing with fireworks on the grass parking area and the grass caught fire and “quickly spread” to the vehicles.
ER24 spokesman Werner Vermaak said there were no injuries.
“Paramedics and rescue personnel are on the scene. No injuries have been reported and I can confirm that the fire is out. The cars were parked on a grass parking,” he said.
Vermaak said they first received a call about the fire at 11.45am.
Most of the cars belonged to Muslim men who had gathered at Mia's Farm for a weekend of spiritual rejuvenation.
The event had been arranged by the Waterval Islamic Institute.
Police could not immediately comment.
- Sapa/IOL
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Fires in Southeastern Australia
About 300 firefighters using dozens of vehicles and 14 aircraft were battling the fires, which were burning near Grampians National Park. Lightning ignited a number of fires about a week ago; two of them merged to create the large fire shown here. Authorities estimated that it had burned about 6,000 hectares (15,000 acres) by Feb. 19.
References
- ABC Melbourne (2013, Feb. 18) Wind changes, hot day ahead as Grampians bushfire continues to burn. Accessed Feb. 18, 2013.
- Country Fire Authority (2013, Feb. 18) Grampians-Victoria Valley Complex. Accessed Feb. 18, 2013.
- Herald Sun (2013, Feb. 18) Two Bushfires Merge in the Grampians in Victoria’s Southwest. Accessed Feb. 18, 2013.
- Stawell Times-News (2013, Feb. 18) Grampians fire updates. Accessed Feb. 18, 2013.
- The Standard (2013, Feb. 19) Dunkeld on edge as fires merge to create massive front. Accessed Feb. 18, 2013.
NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, LANCE MODIS Rapid Response. Caption by Adam Voiland.
- Instrument:
- Terra - MODIS - NASA
Friday, 8 February 2013
NASA FIRMS Fire Alert: South Africa
Your Area of Interest (Country) : South Africa
Fires detected over the past 24 hours in your area-of-interest : 48
(NOTE: Cloud cover might obscure active fire detections. The fire points will be listed only when the total number of active fires detected is less than or equal to 50)
This email was generated on 2013-02-08, 09:42:09 UTC
- NASA
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Destroyed fynbos ‘no ecological disaster’
Brian van Wilgen, of the CSIR s natural resources and environment department and Stellenbosch University s centre for invasion biology, says it s also too soon to confirm claims that the fires in places like the Wemmershoek mountains have caused an ecological disaster . Picture: Neil Baynes
Cape Town - Media reports that the latest wave of veld fires burning through the Western Cape have “destroyed” thousands of hectares of fynbos are simply not true, says leading fire ecologist Professor Brian van Wilgen.
And Van Wilgen, of the CSIR’s natural resources and environment department and Stellenbosch University’s centre for invasion biology, says it’s also too soon to confirm claims that the fires in places like the Wemmershoek mountains and the Cederberg have caused an “ecological disaster”.
Fynbos is a fire-adapted and fire-dependent vegetation type, he said. Regular fires are necessary to prevent plant senescence (growing old and declining) and to stimulate seed germination. “Without fire, there would be no fynbos – it’s as simple as that. The evidence is there for everyone to see,” he said.
Noting that mountains were still covered in fynbos, despite repeated fires in the past, he said: “There will be spectacular displays of mass flowering by bulbs and geophytes (plants with underground tubers or corms) in the coming spring.”
“By and large”, fynbos fires were not ecological disasters, he said, but he confirmed that fynbos could be damaged by too-frequent fires. This could now be happening in the province.
“There is a very real concern that fires are becoming too frequent. This could eliminate some of the long-lived shrubs, like proteas and leucadendrons, that need time between fires to build up new seed reserves. Normally, 12 years or so between fires should be sufficient. There is some evidence that fires are becoming more frequent than that, especially in areas close to large cities and towns – simply because there are more and more people who could start accidental fires.”
There was also evidence that the regional weather was becoming hotter and drier, and this increased fire opportunities, he added.
“Is this an ecological disaster? I reserve judgement on that, but I would call each fire that burns in the veld that last burnt less than 10 years ago ‘an ecological setback’.”
The other major cause for concern was that fires spread invasive alien trees and shrubs like pines and hakeas.
“Unless we can cut them down first so that they release their seeds and so that the subsequent fires can kill the seedlings.
“The recent fires would have burnt many areas infested with untreated alien plants. This too is an ecological setback – and if it happens several times in a row, I would call it an ecological disaster.”
Van Wilgen acknowledged that the fires could be an economic and social disaster for people whose houses were destroyed, livestock killed, and crops and plantations burnt down – “but such disasters are not ecological”.
There were strong arguments for investing in sound fire management through alien plant control combined with prescribed burning.
“We spend enormous amounts of money fighting wildfires. This would be more effectively spent on controlled burning if we are to reduce risks and eliminate disasters.”
- Cape Argus/IOL
Friday, 1 February 2013
Winelands fire rages for fifth day
Cape Town - A fire raged for a fifth day in the Western Cape winelands on Thursday, as firefighters battled a new blaze with military assistance.
Around 9 000 hectares, largely vegetation on the mountains, has burned since Sunday in the town of Franschhoek.
“The fire is still raging in that mountain range around Franschhoek towards Du Toitskloof,” said Etienne du Toit, deputy director of the Fire Brigade Service for the Western Cape.
“With this wind, you have continuous flare-ups. We anticipated that it would burn for at least seven days.”
Six helicopters and a spotter plane, 15 fire engines and 55 firefighters battled the fire on Thursday.
Firefighters and four helicopters and a military chopper were also dealing with a fresh blaze in a pine plantation in Wolseley, north of Franschhoek.
A defence force helicopter and crew was assisting in fighting the fire.
Du Toit said the fires were typical of the time of the year.
“This is the fire season so it's not unusual to have fires of this nature,” he said.
The fire in the Franschhoek area was not under control, but no lives were at risk.
“It doesn't pose any threat to lives or property at this stage,” said Du Toit.
Another fire which started in the scenic Cederberg mountains area two weeks ago, and claimed one life, was declared safe on Thursday.
- AFP/IOL
Thursday, 31 January 2013
Weather helps douse most Western Cape fires
A fire in Franschhoek destroyed thousand of hectares of vegetation,
damaged property and caused many to evacuate their homes. 29 January
2012. Picture: Jaco Bah via Twitter
CAPE TOWN - Western Cape Disaster Management on Thursday said human negligence or even arson could be behind a rash of wildfires across the province.
Thousands of hectares of vegetation has been destroyed by blazes in the Cape Winelands between Paarl and Franschhoek.
Disaster management chief director Colin Deiner said human error is usually behind vegetation fires.
“From past experience, 70 percent of fires are caused by humans, whether it is by accident or arson. The human element always plays a big part.”
WEATHER ASSISTANCE
Meanwhile, millions have been spent on firefighting operations in recent days.
Since last week Wednesday, there have been around 60 vegetation fires around Cape Town alone.
As cooler weather conditions played into the hands of firefighters on Wednesday, the fires in Cape Town, Overberg, Overstrand, Cape Winelands, Cedarberg, Walker Bay and Stanford were all brought under control.
However, blazes in the Wemmershoek Mountains near Franschhoek which started on Sunday, have still not been extinguished.
Deiner said properties and lives were not in danger and added fire officials will remain on high alert nonetheless.
“The fire is burning along the mountain slopes and we are concerned the wind is going to pick up.”
More firefighters have been sent to the province to help with the operation.
The exact cause of the fires is yet to be determined.
- EWN
Wednesday, 30 January 2013
Franschoek brand onder beheer gebring.
17h00 - Brandbestryders het uiteindelik die brand by Franschhoek in die Kaapse Wynland onder beheer gebring. Dit het vier dae lank buite beheer gewoed met uiters warm en winderige toestande wat die bestryding daarvan belemmer het. Honderde brandweermanne is van ander provinsies ontbied om die brand saam met boere en plaaswerkers te bestry. 'n Woorvoerder van Rampbestuur - Justin Lawrence - sê die brand tussen die dorp en die Paarl het sowat 10-duisend hektaar verwoes.
- RSG Nuus
- RSG Nuus
Cape fires: Fear of ecological disaster
Cape Town Fire and Rescue and Table Mountain National Park firefighters were called out to combat a fire on the mountain above Simon's Town. Picture: Jeffrey Abrahams
Cape Town - The SA Air Force is on high alert and firefighters are bracing themselves for a “critical” 10 days ahead.
Resources are stretched and the challenge is aggravated by soaring temperatures and strong winds fanning some of the worst fires in the province in decades.
Authorities fear an “ecological disaster” and have spent R1 million to combat the fires in the Wemmershoek Mountains near Franschhoek.
“Most of the veld in the area is between eight and 12 years old. It needs to burn at least every 17 years to properly regenerate its seed. This fire would probably destroy most of the veld,” Working On Fire operations manager Deon Rossouw said.
On Tuesday night efforts were directed at huge fires burning from Franschhoek towards Paarl and Du Toitskloof.
“We are very concerned it will reach the N1 and are moving all our vehicles to that area. The fires are not contained,” Cape Winelands municipality station commander Royston Harris said.
He said there was no immediate danger to property and no need to evacuate people.
On Tuesday firefighters battled four large fires, in Franschhoek, Paarl, Eden district and the Cederberg where fires have raged since January 16.
More than 370 additional firefighters have been called in from the Eastern Cape and Gauteng.
Colin Deiner, chief director of Disaster Risk Management, said: “Without additional teams we would’ve been in a lot of trouble. We also have Air Force Oryx helicopters on standby if any lives or property are at risk and to help with aerial firefighting support.”
Deiner said the Franschhoek fire was one of “the worst fires” the province had seen in years because of the size of the area burning. More than 72 000ha of vegetation, fynbos and farmland have burnt.
The fire was allegedly caused when residents of the Prindal informal settlement made a fire in a field.
Reinforcements from Cape Town, the Free State and the Eastern Cape are expected to arrive on Wednesay. The Cape Winelands District Municipality, Drakenstein Local Municipality, CapeNature and Working On Fire are assisting.
Rossouw said the ecological impact on the fynbos and vegetation land could be disastrous. The fire was “extremely” difficult to bring under control and he hoped reinforcements would mean the end of the fire.
CapeNature spokeswoman Liesl Brink said a team of 120 firefighters was battling to contain the Franschhoek fire, which started on Sunday. Four helicopters and 13 vehicles had been deployed. “Firefighters assisted the owners and workers of two farms in the Franschhoek valley on the Wemmershoek road to evacuate when the fire spread through the properties. Two farm cottages were damaged.”
The Cederberg fire has affected 24 000ha of vegetation and was under control yesterday morning. Authorities are on high alert as the south-easter is expected to pick up again.
Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell said: “The first priority is to prevent the loss of lives and property.” A total of 27 vegetation fires flared up around the city on Tuesday.
- Cape Times
Brand in Franschhoek-gebied woed steeds
Kaapstad – Brandslaners probeer steeds om 'n wegholbrand in die Wemmershoekberge tussen Franschhoek en die Paarl onder beheer te bring, berig die SABC.
Talle brandslaners asook vier helikopters het Dinsdagaand die vlamme in hoë temperature, sterk wind en swak sigbaarheid bestry. Meer as 7 000 hektaar landbougrond en indringerplantegroei is sedert Sondag verwoes.
Roysten Harris, stasiebevelvoerder van die Kaapse Wynland-distriksmunisipaliteit se brandweerdiens, het Dinsdagaand gesê die brand beweeg in die rigting van die Du Toitskloofpas naby die Paarl.
"Die brand is steeds buite beheer. Ons gaan ons spanne strategies stel om die brand te bestry. Ons sal ons helikopters so laat as moontlik gebruik om eiendom en lewens te beskerm."
Honderde lede van Werk met Vuur is Dinsdag na die Boland ontplooi, waar 'n wegholbrand eiendomme in Franschhoek en die Paarl bedreig.
Rampbestuurbeamptes in die Wes-Kaap het gesê hulle sal slegs inwoners in die Paarl vra om te ontruim indien dit absoluut nodig is.
"Dit is duidelik 'n baie hoërisiko-dorp. So inwoners moet ag slaan op die waarskuwings, maar in die stadium is daar nie 'n direkte versoek om die dorp te ontruim nie."
– Nuus24
Talle brandslaners asook vier helikopters het Dinsdagaand die vlamme in hoë temperature, sterk wind en swak sigbaarheid bestry. Meer as 7 000 hektaar landbougrond en indringerplantegroei is sedert Sondag verwoes.
Roysten Harris, stasiebevelvoerder van die Kaapse Wynland-distriksmunisipaliteit se brandweerdiens, het Dinsdagaand gesê die brand beweeg in die rigting van die Du Toitskloofpas naby die Paarl.
"Die brand is steeds buite beheer. Ons gaan ons spanne strategies stel om die brand te bestry. Ons sal ons helikopters so laat as moontlik gebruik om eiendom en lewens te beskerm."
Honderde lede van Werk met Vuur is Dinsdag na die Boland ontplooi, waar 'n wegholbrand eiendomme in Franschhoek en die Paarl bedreig.
Rampbestuurbeamptes in die Wes-Kaap het gesê hulle sal slegs inwoners in die Paarl vra om te ontruim indien dit absoluut nodig is.
"Dit is duidelik 'n baie hoërisiko-dorp. So inwoners moet ag slaan op die waarskuwings, maar in die stadium is daar nie 'n direkte versoek om die dorp te ontruim nie."
– Nuus24
Ramp dreig in Kaapse Wynland-distrik
Kaapstad – Brande wat deur die Kaapse Wynland-distrik versprei, het vrese van 'n ekologiese ramp laat ontstaan, is Woensdag berig.
Owerhede het R1 miljoen bestee om brande in die Wemmershoek-berge naby Franschhoek te bestry, het die Cape Times berig.
"Die meeste van die veld in die gebied is tussen agt en 12 jaar oud. Dit moet minstens elke 17 jaar om te regenereer," het Deon Rossouw, bedryfsbestuurder van Werk met Vuur, gesê.
"Die brand sal waarskynlik die meeste van die veld vernietig."
Brandslaners probeer steeds om 'n wegholbrand in die Wemmershoekberge tussen Franschhoek en die Paarl onder beheer te bring, berig die SABC.
Talle brandslaners asook vier helikopters het Dinsdagaand die vlamme in hoë temperature, sterk wind en swak sigbaarheid bestry. Meer as 7 000 hektaar landbougrond en indringerplantegroei is sedert Sondag verwoes.
Roysten Harris, stasiebevelvoerder van die Kaapse Wynland-distriksmunisipaliteit se brandweerdiens, het Dinsdagaand gesê die brand beweeg in die rigting van die Du Toitskloofpas naby die Paarl.
- SAPA/Nuus24
Owerhede het R1 miljoen bestee om brande in die Wemmershoek-berge naby Franschhoek te bestry, het die Cape Times berig.
"Die meeste van die veld in die gebied is tussen agt en 12 jaar oud. Dit moet minstens elke 17 jaar om te regenereer," het Deon Rossouw, bedryfsbestuurder van Werk met Vuur, gesê.
"Die brand sal waarskynlik die meeste van die veld vernietig."
Brandslaners probeer steeds om 'n wegholbrand in die Wemmershoekberge tussen Franschhoek en die Paarl onder beheer te bring, berig die SABC.
Talle brandslaners asook vier helikopters het Dinsdagaand die vlamme in hoë temperature, sterk wind en swak sigbaarheid bestry. Meer as 7 000 hektaar landbougrond en indringerplantegroei is sedert Sondag verwoes.
Roysten Harris, stasiebevelvoerder van die Kaapse Wynland-distriksmunisipaliteit se brandweerdiens, het Dinsdagaand gesê die brand beweeg in die rigting van die Du Toitskloofpas naby die Paarl.
- SAPA/Nuus24
More teams called in as Cape fire rages
January 29 2013 at 10:47pm
Johannesburg - More firefighting teams will be brought in to assist as the blaze in the Western Cape winelands continues, Working on Fire (WoF) said on Tuesday.
WoF spokesperson Linton Rensburg said a meeting of disaster management teams, firefighters and government officials on Tuesday afternoon decided that 10 more firefighting teams should be brought in.
“The 10 teams come from across the country and by tomorrow we should have around 395 more firefighters here,” he said.
A total of 14 teams had initially been deployed to fight the blaze.
Five other teams that had been on standby were brought in from the Eastern Cape and Free State on Tuesday morning, said Rensburg.
While the fire in the Cederberg mountains was contained in the early hours of the morning, Rensburg said they were still battling with the one in the Franschhoek area.
“We are working around the clock. We have helicopters and water bombers deployed,” he said.
Around 10 helicopter water bombers, eight spotter planes, eight fixed wing water bombers and 37 pilots have been deployed by WoF to fight the fires.
- Sapa/IOL
Johannesburg - More firefighting teams will be brought in to assist as the blaze in the Western Cape winelands continues, Working on Fire (WoF) said on Tuesday.
WoF spokesperson Linton Rensburg said a meeting of disaster management teams, firefighters and government officials on Tuesday afternoon decided that 10 more firefighting teams should be brought in.
“The 10 teams come from across the country and by tomorrow we should have around 395 more firefighters here,” he said.
A total of 14 teams had initially been deployed to fight the blaze.
Five other teams that had been on standby were brought in from the Eastern Cape and Free State on Tuesday morning, said Rensburg.
While the fire in the Cederberg mountains was contained in the early hours of the morning, Rensburg said they were still battling with the one in the Franschhoek area.
“We are working around the clock. We have helicopters and water bombers deployed,” he said.
Around 10 helicopter water bombers, eight spotter planes, eight fixed wing water bombers and 37 pilots have been deployed by WoF to fight the fires.
- Sapa/IOL
Tuesday, 29 January 2013
Satellite Image of the fire currently raging in the Franschoek area. (19 January 2013)
Sat. image reflecting the smoke cloud of the large fire in the Western Cape
Burning scar clearly visible.
Burning scar of the Clanwilliam fire.
- Rapid Response - LANCE - Subset - NASA
WunderMap of the Fires currently raging in the Western Cape (29 January 2013)
Images: Weather Underground (Click on images for larger view.)
Concerns grow as wind fuels unpredictable blaze
Photo by Matthew Moxon
Paarl - Runaway fires savaged the Cape Winelands on Tuesday, stoked by "perfect conditions" of strong winds and hot weather.
The authorities declared a code red emergency in the region between Franschhoek and Paarl, the crucible of South Africa's wine industry.
Emergency services struggled to put out a series of blazes, deploying four helicopters, 13 vehicles and 120 firefighters.
"The fire is not under control at the moment," said Liesl Brink, incident command spokesperson for the fire fighting effort.
Separate blazes raged on mountains near both towns, while several smaller fires smouldered, sending dense smoke over the area and obscuring the mountains which draw tourists to the area in droves.
A total of 7 100ha of land including farmlands, alien vegetation and indigenous fynbos have already been destroyed.
Two workers' cottages were burned down and two farms had to be temporarily evacuated.
No deaths have been reported, but a warning has been issued to residents to be alert.
Firefighters were battling difficult conditions to put out the flames, Brink said.
"There is quite a strong wind out here, the wind's blowing at 40km/h, it's also very hot, temperatures are soaring above 30°C", she said.
The cause of the blaze is still unknown.
But according to Brink, many fires at this time of year - when wind and hot summer months provide "perfect conditions for runaway fires" - had been shown to be caused by people, often children.
Unpredictable
The fire started on Sunday in Franschhoek and was moving towards nearby Paarl which lies slightly to the north-west.
Choppers laden with water bombs circled the area on Tuesday, dropping their payload before rushing back to a make-shift control centre.
On the ground, the livelihoods of scores of farmers hung in balance.
Trees at the Freedom Hill winery burned near the tasting room and smoke from the nearby fires hovered menacingly over the vines.
The winery has 18ha of cabernet, shiraz and pinotage grapes that are due to be harvested within weeks.
So far the owners have been relatively lucky, losing less than 1ha of merlot grapes which are no longer used for wine.
But the path of the blaze is unpredictable.
"We are very worried that it would come back," said tasting room manager Malisha Fortuin.
With blackened vegetation a stone's throw away, workers on a fruit farm were busy harvesting plums while a chopper flying above was water bombing a nearby fire.
"I'm not scared of fire. I have worked with fire a few times," said worker Lionel Plaatjies.
Back up teams have been called in from around the country.
"The fire has been declared a code red meaning that we've used all of our available resources and are pulling all the resources that we can," Brink said.
- SAPA/News24
‘Worst fire in 30 years’
Flames jump across the entrance to Pearl Valley Golf Estate near Wemmershoek Road. Photo: Jason Boud - CAPE ARGUS
Western Cape - Homes have been gutted and residents of two farms were evacuated on Monday night in the Franschhoek blaze that has been described as the worst to hit the area in at least 30 years.
Working on Fire’s Linton Rensburg said helicopters and water bombers had been out since first light on Tuesday morning.
“Five teams – comprising 25 crew members each – also arrived from the Eastern Cape and the Free State on Tuesday morning and were deployed. Another five teams are now on standby in other provinces, too.”
Reinforcements from Port Elizabeth’s fire department were due to arrive this afternoon.
In Franschhoek, residents, firefighters and volunteers battled a blaze throughout the night to keep flames away from homes.
About 6 200 hectares of veld have been burnt.
At Wemmershoek Dam, residents fought fires in their backyards until the early hours of Tuesday morning to save their houses.
“It was an amazing sight – the whole community just got together and helped.
“It was worrying, because all through the night trees came crashing down around us and some of the roads were blocked,” said Wemmershoek Dam resident Eugene Williams.
“Many of us haven’t slept a wink, and you’ll see people standing side by side with the firemen up the hill. I’ve lived here for 30 years.
“We get fires from time to time, but I have never experienced anything like this.”
The residents of two Franschhoek farms, Durr and Edenvale, were evacuated on Monday night, and two buildings were gutted.
On D’Le Arc Orleans, sprinklers were running around the clock to save fields of lucerne as flames were bearing down on the farm.
Police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk said there have been no reports of death or serious injury relating to the Franschhoek fires.
Provincial traffic chief Kenny Africa said the Huguenot Tunnel at Du Toit’s Kloof was still open on Tuesday morning, but warned of reduced visibility because of thick smoke on the road network between Franschhoek and Paarl.
At Val de Vie wine, polo and residential estate near Paarl, firefighters were working on the northern perimeter fence to keep flames from the property.
Marketing director Ryk Neethling said: “The fire jumped the R301 at around 1am this morning. But we cleared a piece of land a few weeks ago – to prevent the land from being able to be set alight – and that saved us. The wind was exceptionally strong, the flames around four storeys high, so if we had not cleared that land, we could have been in trouble.
“But the fire is under control and we are not under threat.”
With fires raging across the province and a spate of fires in the City of Cape Town over the past 24 hours, resources were thinly stretched, said Royston Harris, station commander for the Cape Winelands fire department.
Harris said the situation had reached code red status and the heat and windy conditions that spurred the fires on since Sunday were expected to continue today.
“We are expecting winds of 40 knots and temperatures around 37°C. This makes our job increasingly difficult,” said Harris.
The Cape Town fire department has been fighting fires in Atlantis, Mitchells Plain, Eerste River, Mfuleni and Gugulethu since yesterday.
In the Cederberg near Clanwilliam, a fire has been burning since last week. About 25 000ha have burnt outside Clanwilliam since a lightning strike sparked the blaze.
Liesl Brink, spokeswoman for CapeNature, whose volunteers are assisting fire departments across the province, said fires had also been reported around Tulbagh, Eden Valley and Uniondale.
“In addition to the ground resources, Working on Fire Western Cape has also deployed 10 helicopter water bombers, eight spotter planes and eight fixed-wing water bombers and 37 pilots to the Western Cape to assist with suppressing these veld fires,” said Shane Christian, Working on Fire’s general manager.
“Aerial firefighting resources have become a critical component of integrated fire management and they play a leading role in quickly suppressing fires in an initial aerial attack which consists of water bombing fires.”
Harris said firefighters would be dispatched to the upper reaches of the Wemmershoek mountains to battle the flames where they were most intense.
He said Paarl was not in immediate danger, but with an unfavourable wind direction, the flames are still moving in the direction of the N1. On the other side of the Huguenot tunnel, the fire is reportedly making its way down Du Toit’s Kloof.
Meanwhile, Sapa reported on Tuesday morning that the fire on the Cederberg mountain has been contained.
Cape Argus
More teams sent to fight Franschhoek fire
Cape Town - Additional teams have been deployed to the Cape Winelands region to fight a fire that continued burning into the early hours of Tuesday morning in Franschhoek.
Working on Fire’s Linton Rensburg told News24 that a code red had been declared meaning that the group would deploy all necessary resources to fight the blaze.
Rensburg said aerial teams had been sent out at first light on Tuesday.
Ten helicopter water bombers, eight spotter planes, eight fixed wing water bombers and 37 pilots were sent to the Western Cape to help stop the fires.
Meanwhile, a fire on the Cederberg mountain has been contained.
"The fire on Cederberg been contained, the major concern is in the Franschoek area," said Rensburg.
Rensburg said although there was little wind at the moment, firefighters were expecting similar weather conditions to Monday.
He said 14 teams had been deployed to help put out fires burning in the Western Cape.
"We are working around the clock. We have helicopters and water bombers deployed."
He said five teams from the Eastern Cape and Free State had been roped in and other five teams were on standby.
"The teams have been hard at work during the past eight weeks in the Western Cape," he said.
They were dealing with fires in the Cederberg mountains near Clanwilliam, at Franschoek, Tulbagh and in the Uniondale area in the Eden District.
- NEWS24
Working on Fire’s Linton Rensburg told News24 that a code red had been declared meaning that the group would deploy all necessary resources to fight the blaze.
Rensburg said aerial teams had been sent out at first light on Tuesday.
Ten helicopter water bombers, eight spotter planes, eight fixed wing water bombers and 37 pilots were sent to the Western Cape to help stop the fires.
Meanwhile, a fire on the Cederberg mountain has been contained.
"The fire on Cederberg been contained, the major concern is in the Franschoek area," said Rensburg.
Rensburg said although there was little wind at the moment, firefighters were expecting similar weather conditions to Monday.
He said 14 teams had been deployed to help put out fires burning in the Western Cape.
"We are working around the clock. We have helicopters and water bombers deployed."
He said five teams from the Eastern Cape and Free State had been roped in and other five teams were on standby.
"The teams have been hard at work during the past eight weeks in the Western Cape," he said.
They were dealing with fires in the Cederberg mountains near Clanwilliam, at Franschoek, Tulbagh and in the Uniondale area in the Eden District.
- NEWS24
Franschhoek Fire Spreads to De Hollandsche Molen, Wemmershoek, Cape Town
A wildfire that started on the mountains above Franscchoek yesterday, had spread to Wemmershoek by this morning and became a threat to the resort and residences at De Hollandsche Molen. First commotion started around 12pm and after a whole day of on-the-ground firefighting, as well as water-bombing by helicopters, this part of the fire was finally brought under control at around 7:30pm. Closer to Paarl, the fire continues to burn on the mountain slopes.
- Dakeai
Brandweer spook teen vlamme in Kaap
Kaapstad – Inwoners van die Paarl in die Wes-Kaap is gevra om
hul huise te ontruim nadat veldbrande huise in die gebied verwoes het,
berig die eNCA-nuuskanaal.
Die radiostasie 567 Cape Talk berig die brand het oornag sommige plase bereik en in die rigting van die N1 versprei.
Roysten Harris, stasiebevelvoerder van die Kaapse Wynland-distriksmunisipaliteit se brandweerdiens, het aan Die Burger gesê die plase De Hoop en Edenvale buite die Paarl is bedreig.
Verkeersowerhede het intussen gesê die R301 tussen die Paarl en Wemmershoek is weens die brand gesluit.
Die brand in die Sederberge in die Wes-Kaap is egter onder beheer, het Werk met Vuur Dinsdag gesê.
Linton Rensburg, woordvoerder, het gesê die groot bekommernis is in die Franschoek-gebied.
"Ons werk heeldag. Ons het helikopters met waterbomme ontplooi."
Hy het gesê vyf spanne van die Oos-Kaap en die Vrystaat is ingespan en vyf ander spanne is op bystand.
Altesaam 14 Werk met Vuur-spanne is na brande in verskeie gebiede in die Wes-Kaap ontplooi, het die organisasie Maandag gesê.
Werk met Vuur is 'n werkskeppingsprogram van die regering wat bystand aan plaaslike owerhede verleen om veldbrande wat eiendom en lewens bedreig, in bedwang te bring, het Rensburg gesê.
"Die spanne het die afgelope agt weke hard gewerk in die Wes-Kaap."
Die spanne is ontplooi na brande in die Sederberge naby Clanwilliam, Franschoek, Tulbagh en in die Uniondale-gebied in die Eden-distrik.
Meer as 25 000 hektaar weiveld is reeds in Clanwilliam verwoes.
'n Brand wat buite Franschhoek in die Wes-Kaap ontstaan het, het ’n denneboomplantasie bo die Wemmershoekdam vernietig, het Landbou.com Maandag berig.
Volgens Antwan Bondesio, wynmaker by die Maison-landgoed, is helikopters reeds sedert Sondag besig om die vlamme te probeer blus.
Brandbestryders het intussen Maandag gespook om 'n rits ander brande in die Skiereiland onder beheer te bring. Veldbrande is ondermeer in Macassar en Killarney Gardens aangemeld, berig Die Burger.
Ander veldbrande is in Atlantis, Eersterivier en op die Ou Mamre-en Darlingpad aangemeld, asook in Ocean View, Akasiapark, Sir Low-ryspasweg, Fountain Village in Blue Downs, Belhar, Strandfontein en Kuilsrivier.
Brandbestryders was nog laat Maandagaand op die toneel naby Killarney Gardens en Morningstar langs die N7.
'n Man het Maandagoggend in Guguletu gesterf toe ’n brand in NY108 in die Barcelona- informele nedersetting uitgebreek het.
Nóg 'n brand het klaskamers by die Adult Learning Centre in 15de Laan in Elsiesrivier beskadig. Niemand is beseer nie. 'n Brand by 'n slaghuis in Stasieweg, Bellville, is ook omstreeks 18:45 by die brandweerdienste aangemeld.
Die radiostasie 567 Cape Talk berig die brand het oornag sommige plase bereik en in die rigting van die N1 versprei.
Roysten Harris, stasiebevelvoerder van die Kaapse Wynland-distriksmunisipaliteit se brandweerdiens, het aan Die Burger gesê die plase De Hoop en Edenvale buite die Paarl is bedreig.
Verkeersowerhede het intussen gesê die R301 tussen die Paarl en Wemmershoek is weens die brand gesluit.
Die brand in die Sederberge in die Wes-Kaap is egter onder beheer, het Werk met Vuur Dinsdag gesê.
Linton Rensburg, woordvoerder, het gesê die groot bekommernis is in die Franschoek-gebied.
"Ons werk heeldag. Ons het helikopters met waterbomme ontplooi."
Hy het gesê vyf spanne van die Oos-Kaap en die Vrystaat is ingespan en vyf ander spanne is op bystand.
Altesaam 14 Werk met Vuur-spanne is na brande in verskeie gebiede in die Wes-Kaap ontplooi, het die organisasie Maandag gesê.
Werk met Vuur is 'n werkskeppingsprogram van die regering wat bystand aan plaaslike owerhede verleen om veldbrande wat eiendom en lewens bedreig, in bedwang te bring, het Rensburg gesê.
"Die spanne het die afgelope agt weke hard gewerk in die Wes-Kaap."
Die spanne is ontplooi na brande in die Sederberge naby Clanwilliam, Franschoek, Tulbagh en in die Uniondale-gebied in die Eden-distrik.
Meer as 25 000 hektaar weiveld is reeds in Clanwilliam verwoes.
'n Brand wat buite Franschhoek in die Wes-Kaap ontstaan het, het ’n denneboomplantasie bo die Wemmershoekdam vernietig, het Landbou.com Maandag berig.
Volgens Antwan Bondesio, wynmaker by die Maison-landgoed, is helikopters reeds sedert Sondag besig om die vlamme te probeer blus.
Brandbestryders het intussen Maandag gespook om 'n rits ander brande in die Skiereiland onder beheer te bring. Veldbrande is ondermeer in Macassar en Killarney Gardens aangemeld, berig Die Burger.
Ander veldbrande is in Atlantis, Eersterivier en op die Ou Mamre-en Darlingpad aangemeld, asook in Ocean View, Akasiapark, Sir Low-ryspasweg, Fountain Village in Blue Downs, Belhar, Strandfontein en Kuilsrivier.
Brandbestryders was nog laat Maandagaand op die toneel naby Killarney Gardens en Morningstar langs die N7.
'n Man het Maandagoggend in Guguletu gesterf toe ’n brand in NY108 in die Barcelona- informele nedersetting uitgebreek het.
Nóg 'n brand het klaskamers by die Adult Learning Centre in 15de Laan in Elsiesrivier beskadig. Niemand is beseer nie. 'n Brand by 'n slaghuis in Stasieweg, Bellville, is ook omstreeks 18:45 by die brandweerdienste aangemeld.
- SAPA/Nuus24
Runaway fire threatens Franschhoek homes
Cape Town - Firefighters battled on Monday to contain a runaway fire in the Cape Winelands, one of several blazes raging in the Western Cape in which one person has died.
A line of nearly 17km was burning away from Franschhoek, as a senior firefighter expressed concerns about possible dangers.
"The fire is now burning out of control, it's coming down on properties," said Royston Harris, station manager of the Cape Winelands municipality fire station in Stellenbosch.
"A lot of properties are in danger, lives are in danger. We're trying our best to just save wherever we can."
Farms in the area were under threat and strong winds were making conditions difficult for firefighters, he said.
Western Cape provincial coordinator of firefighting group Working on Fire, Bianca van Biljon, said 16 teams, each made up of 15 to 24 people, were fighting fires in four areas and that reinforcements from elsewhere in the country had been requested.
Fires were still raging in the mountainous Cederberg area after starting on 17 January and 25 000ha of land have been destroyed, she said.
A volunteer firefighter died last week in Clanwilliam.
The fire had spread from Franschhoek in three directions, said Van Biljon, while there were also fires in Tulbagh and Uniondale.
Are you there? Send us your eyewitness accounts
- AFP/News24
A line of nearly 17km was burning away from Franschhoek, as a senior firefighter expressed concerns about possible dangers.
"The fire is now burning out of control, it's coming down on properties," said Royston Harris, station manager of the Cape Winelands municipality fire station in Stellenbosch.
"A lot of properties are in danger, lives are in danger. We're trying our best to just save wherever we can."
Farms in the area were under threat and strong winds were making conditions difficult for firefighters, he said.
Western Cape provincial coordinator of firefighting group Working on Fire, Bianca van Biljon, said 16 teams, each made up of 15 to 24 people, were fighting fires in four areas and that reinforcements from elsewhere in the country had been requested.
Fires were still raging in the mountainous Cederberg area after starting on 17 January and 25 000ha of land have been destroyed, she said.
A volunteer firefighter died last week in Clanwilliam.
The fire had spread from Franschhoek in three directions, said Van Biljon, while there were also fires in Tulbagh and Uniondale.
Are you there? Send us your eyewitness accounts
- AFP/News24
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