Cape Town Fire/Smoke Alert Thread

I think most of Somerset West area people took a drive up the pass last night to view the fire - it looked like rush hour up the mountain at one stage - one being a work colleague who reports that the number of baboons crossing the road fleeing from the fire was amazing - wonder about all the small animals no one even noticed.....
 
samisty said:
I think most of Somerset West area people took a drive up the pass last night to view the fire - it looked like rush hour up the mountain at one stage - one being a work colleague who reports that the number of baboons crossing the road fleeing from the fire was amazing - wonder about all the small animals no one even noticed.....
Click to expand...

:(:(:(
 
The smaller animals, I doubt anyone would've noticed them because I doubt they would've made it away from the fires.

The fires move way too fast, the larger animals will make it, the smaller ones won't - sorry :(
 
gdiza said:
The smaller animals, I doubt anyone would've noticed them because I doubt they would've made it away from the fires.

The fires move way too fast, the larger animals will make it, the smaller ones won't - sorry :(
Click to expand...
I guess that is part of the order of life - natural selection and all that. It is sad though :(

Ok, possibly stupid question, but I keep getting asked this (don't know why they ask me - just because I live in the 'line of fire' so to speak??)
Why can they not use a helicopter to waterbomb at night if visibility is good - you can see the line of fire so clearly?:o:confused:
 
I would guess because it's not safe to fly at night, you can't see the mountains etc, yes, you can see the fire, but you can't see anymore than that - along with it getting very smokey at night, helicopters just won't work effeciently at night.

I think it's R20,000 a hour per helicopter, you want to make sure you get your money's worth.
 
Oh, guys, just want to clear something up.
I was asked by someone if I speak officially for the VWS.

I don't!
I'm not in the position to either.

When I post in this thread and others - I speak on behalf of myself for myself.

Opinons/Thoughts etc I give - are my own and not from or for the VWS or any other Volunteer fire fighting unit.

I do believe, since this is a public forum, that I am allowed to talk about stuff but nothing is to be taken as "official" or anything like that.

If I don't know something, I might still give my opinon/thought - heck, I might ask someone who knows better and then post it - their opinon/thought etc should not be taken officially either.

Just so I've said this ;)
 
Chris thanks to your photos which I posted some of on our horse forum - the volunteers have gained a worker. I have also mentioned others could follow her example even if they want to help in logistics etc.

Her words:
I have decided that i cant just sit back and think how scary it is whislt others risk their lives to help fight the fire and save others. So i have signed up as a volunteer firefighter.
 
Last edited:
samisty said:
Chris thanks to your photos which I posted some of on our horse forum - the volunteers have gained a worker. I have also mentioned others could follow her example even if they want to help in logistics etc.

Her words:
I have decided that i cant just sit back and think how scary it is whislt others risk their lives to help fight the fire and save others. So i have signed up as a volunteer firefighter.
Click to expand...

Awesome samisty!

If anyone wants the application form to join the VWS, e-mail me at gdirsa [at] gmail [dot] com and I'll pass it onto you.

Training starts in April but forms need to go in sooner.

I just hope they know it's hard work... and the fly-by-nights should rather not apply.
 
gdiza said:
I would guess because it's not safe to fly at night, you can't see the mountains etc, yes, you can see the fire, but you can't see anymore than that - along with it getting very smokey at night, helicopters just won't work effeciently at night.

I think it's R20,000 a hour per helicopter, you want to make sure you get your money's worth.
Click to expand...

The main issue is that of safety. Remember that helicopters fly low, and often the bambi bucket is just above tree level. With the reduced night visibility, this really isn't safe.

Actually, the cost is around R30 000 per hour.

Lastly, efficient helicopter water bombing requires ground crews as well. The main use of helicopters is to cool the area enough for ground crews to move in. With reduced operations at night of ground crews (also due to safety reasons), the helicopters would have limited effect.
 
gdiza said:
FACT: Fire does move up a mountain very fast - it also moves very fast in a valley.

One thing we learn in the VWS is to never run up a mountain from a fire, you won't win.
Click to expand...

In all probability the fire won't kill you, you'll die from smoke inhalation before that.
 
gdiza said:
The smaller animals, I doubt anyone would've noticed them because I doubt they would've made it away from the fires.

The fires move way too fast, the larger animals will make it, the smaller ones won't - sorry :(
Click to expand...

In alien vegetation this doesn't seem to be so much of a problem, but in fynbos it is always sad when walking the fire line the next day to see the number of dead tortoises.

One of the worst things I have seen on the fire line so far, was a field mouse, perhaps frightened by the line of volunteers on the edge of the fire, run into a fire and be cooked alive, seeing it jump over hot coals, until it was overwhelmed and fell into the hot ash.
 
Tassidar said:
In alien vegetation this doesn't seem to be so much of a problem, but in fynbos it is always sad when walking the fire line the next day to see the number of dead tortoises.

One of the worst things I have seen on the fire line so far, was a field mouse, perhaps frightened by the line of volunteers on the edge of the fire, run into a fire and be cooked alive, seeing it jump over hot coals, until it was overwhelmed and fell into the hot ash.
Click to expand...

Nah, I think he saw YOU and was freaked out! :)
When I first saw you, I almost died of shock!

:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X