Cape Town Fire/Smoke Alert Thread

[Captain Slog]

I've never seen someone struggle so much with the concept of a Mediterranean climate

I see the famous Cape Town welcome and friendliness is still strong!

 

[Gordon_R]

Fire(s) are still burning this morning (Tues 29th), but currently there is much less smoke, and very light winds. From Kenilworth I can see active flames above Boyes Drive in Lakeside, and also on the 'rump' of Constantiaberg towards Vlakkenberg.

Winds are likely to change to fresh southerly later in the day, following passage of a weak cold front (Edit: Low clouds at first). This change in direction could cause issues for areas on the northern perimeter, including Hout Bay and upper Constantia. No significant rain is expected in the near future.

Google maps show the approximate fire perimeter based on infrared satellite images:

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

 

[Defiler]

Arson suspect arrested as firefighters continue to battle blazes in the south of Cape Town

By Monday evening, the fires in Cape Town’s south had not yet been contained. A man was arrested on suspicion of arson and a firefighter was hospitalised.

www.dailymaverick.co.za

A man was arrested by City of Cape Town law enforcement officials on Monday in connection with the fires raging in the city’s southern suburbs and deep south since the evening of Friday, 25 April.

The city’s mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith, said the arson suspect was arrested after residents saw him walking with cans in Clovelly, where the mountain was ablaze.

The fires have been raging in the Tokai and Silvermine sections of Table Mountain National Park and spread to nearby suburbs including Tokai, Zwaanswyk, Noordhoek and Clovelly.

 

[crysis]

Multiple fires started yesterday, probably arson:

Suspected arson sparks multiple fires in Upper Tokai

Multiple wildfires, believed to have been deliberately started, have burned through sections of Upper Tokai and along the Constantiaberg overnight. The Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) Fire Department and other emergency crews have been on the scene since late Friday evening.

www.capetownetc.com

What evidence is there to suggest arson?

 

[capd]

What evidence is there to suggest arson?

Three separate fires were started around the same time in Upper Tokai Forest. Cannot be by chance.

 

[Syphonx]

Arson suspect arrested as firefighters continue to battle blazes in the south of Cape Town

By Monday evening, the fires in Cape Town’s south had not yet been contained. A man was arrested on suspicion of arson and a firefighter was hospitalised.

www.dailymaverick.co.za

A man was arrested by City of Cape Town law enforcement officials on Monday in connection with the fires raging in the city’s southern suburbs and deep south since the evening of Friday, 25 April.

The city’s mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith, said the arson suspect was arrested after residents saw him walking with cans in Clovelly, where the mountain was ablaze.

The fires have been raging in the Tokai and Silvermine sections of Table Mountain National Park and spread to nearby suburbs including Tokai, Zwaanswyk, Noordhoek and Clovelly.

What a dumb****, the area would have burnt without any help

 

[Grant]

so this is what CPT is known for? weird strange weather, random wildfires


why now though?

Isnt winter supposed to be here, or like everything in CPT
fires are like the weather, just starts whenever it feels like.

not gonna lie, was wondering driving along the N2 what those smoke clouds were from
now I get to see it more closer to the mountain.

man this place gets weirder the longer I stay here, now fires, if the cold and wind and rain weren't enough.

you are going to be utterly baffled by the lack of thunderstorms, hail & lightning.
but only half a baffled as when you see the locals react to a grumble of thunder, a hint of lighting, or hail stone the size of a pea.

brace yerself sheila !!

 

[satanboy]

 

[Gordon_R]

I did hear choppers earlier, but it is drizzling now, and visibility is close to zero in the mountains at present. The wind is still very light, but is changing to southerly, bringing whiffs of smoke to areas which have avoided it until now. The overall situation is much the same, but should become clear later, as the cloud base lifts.

More updates:

Tokai fire update: Blaze contained but areas remain volatile and hazardous

Firefighters are currently engaged in an intense battle against the Tokai mountain fire, with over 90 brave firefighters deployed across five critical fronts — Noordhoek, Steenberg Estate, Ou Kaapse Weg, Clovelly, and Noordhoek.

www.capetownetc.com

City of Cape Town’s Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse confirmed that two helicopters were deployed this morning as ground and aerial firefighting efforts continue, reports Cape {town} Etc.

‘The fire is not contained yet, and there is some concern that the two fire lines are creeping towards Chapman’s Peak,’ said Carelse.

 

[capd]

I did hear choppers earlier, but it is drizzling now, and visibility is close to zero in the mountains at present. The wind is still very light, but is changing to southerly, bringing whiffs of smoke to areas which have avoided it until now. The overall situation is much the same, but should become clear later, as the cloud base lifts.

More updates:

Tokai fire update: Blaze contained but areas remain volatile and hazardous

Firefighters are currently engaged in an intense battle against the Tokai mountain fire, with over 90 brave firefighters deployed across five critical fronts — Noordhoek, Steenberg Estate, Ou Kaapse Weg, Clovelly, and Noordhoek.

www.capetownetc.com

Let's hope Hout Bay and Chappies are OK.

 

[Gordon_R]

We had a nice sprinkling of drizzle/light rain between 11am and noon (particularly in the south). The cloud base has now lifted, revealing no smoke or active burning. There will still be extensive mopping up, but it seems this has finally been contained. The wind has picked up somewhat, but is not a threat at present.

Last news update:

Tokai fire update: Blaze contained but areas remain volatile and hazardous

Firefighters are currently engaged in an intense battle against the Tokai mountain fire, with over 90 brave firefighters deployed across five critical fronts — Noordhoek, Steenberg Estate, Ou Kaapse Weg, Clovelly, and Noordhoek.

www.capetownetc.com

In the most recent update, however, City of Cape Town’s Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse confirmed that these helicopters have been grounded due to poor visibility this morning.

‘Light rain has, however, started falling on parts of the fire area, and it is hoped that this will provide some much needed relief and expedite efforts to extinguish the fire that’s been burning since Friday evening,’ said Carelse.

Ground crews currently remain on scene with the possibility that ‘resources will be scaled back’ one the IMT completes its assessment.

Regarding the nearly 200 residents who were evacuated as a precaution on Sunday, SANParks reported that they have returned to their homes, but cautioned the public to continue adhering to all hiking and mountain bike trail closures, as well as to avoid the Silvermine, Tokai and Boyes Drive areas of TMNP.

City’s traffic services spokesperson Maxine Bezuidenhout also confirmed that all affected roads have been reopened.

 

[airborne]

I wonder how much it costs Coct to fight each of these widespread fires, it must run to a few bar for each fire?

 

[Gordon_R]

I wonder how much it costs Coct to fight each of these widespread fires, it must run to a few bar for each fire?

Whatever the cost of firefighting, it is always cheaper than the alternative. The recent fires in Los Angeles highlight the risks and consequences in a natural/urban interface. Fortunately each fire serves as a natural barrier for several years, preventing the same area from burning again.

 

[satanboy]

Suspect detained in connection with devastating Table Mountain wildfire

Cape Town authorities have arrested a suspect in connection with the devastating wildfire currently ravaging the Tokai and Silvermine sections of Table Mountain National Park.

www.capetownetc.com

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

you are going to be utterly baffled by the lack of thunderstorms, hail & lightning.
but only half a baffled as when you see the locals react to a grumble of thunder, a hint of lighting, or hail stone the size of a pea.

brace yerself sheila !!

Im braced and ready for all the strangeness of people wearing shorts in 8 degrees weather outside.
CPT is just weird, I wake up in the morning and ask myself is this just how life is down here?

vallies like me, unless were determined dont stick around long.

 

[saor]

Suspect detained in connection with devastating Table Mountain wildfire

Cape Town authorities have arrested a suspect in connection with the devastating wildfire currently ravaging the Tokai and Silvermine sections of Table Mountain National Park.

www.capetownetc.com

I'm always amazed when people like this get caught. You've got literally hours before anyone really suspects anything, you've surely dumped all the fire starting stuff in the bush ages ago. How stupid do you have to be to get caught?