Cape Town Fire/Smoke Alert Thread

From CapeTalk/EWN - Fires ravage the Cape Peninsula

Cape Town has been blanketed by a thick cloud of smoke as fires rage out of control in Somerset West.

The fire near the Vergelegen farm appeared to have been brought under control on Sunday but flared up again overnight.

Three wine farms in the area, Lourensford, Vergelegen and Knorrhoek are under threat as flames close in.

A number of people were evacuated overnight.

Helicopters were called in on Monday light to help ground crews battle the blaze.

Fire Services’ Clive Schmidt said thick smoke has forced the choppers to turn back.

“Visibility is poor. Choppers cannot fly and like they say, it is very frightening out there. Three fronts are busy fighting the fire."
Click to expand...

Sounds really bad if the helicopters can't fly.
 
Have you considered making fire breaks around your property?

Especially if the fire is heading towards something... making a fire break will help matters - instead of doing nothing.
 
thanks gdiza

just spoke to my dad and he said its moving on the back mountain over the lourensford and vergelegen farms

does not look like is is threatening our side at all now
and looks like sir lowry's pass is safe for now
 
Maybe you guys on your farm should go and help the other farms then... nothing like people coming together.

Send your workers and such, days like this, when people come together to help each other!

Find and buy rakehoes and fire beaters too... so if this ever does turn and head for your farm or something happens in the future, you guys have the tools to do something.

For now, get spades and go help, dig fire breaks, chop trees down, don't just sit and watch, fight back!

If there is nothing in the way to burn, it can't do any damage ;)
 
gdiza

unfortunately its only my dad @ the small holding and he is busy doing work
i like your ideas and will pass it onto the other owners of the Smallholdings in the area around us

Luckily we are in a secure estate otherside of the N2 at the bottom of the pass so it would take alot to get to us ( i would assume)
 
Just remember IC, it jumps hey!

All the little bits of burning stuff fly from area A to area B, they land and sit and slowly burn and then it goes up and spreads.

If you're near a burning area, patrol your area, put out embers, don't just leave them, as they can start fires.
 
no fully agree
and if i was at home i would be be doing patrol as far as i can get

BUT alas im at work today but on alert to go if need be

mom and dad are closer to home as im in CAPE TOWN now
thinking of all the firefighters and will get some drinks to them later
 
Just took a drive to Vergelegen and all I can say is this!

The smoke is so thick that entire Somerset West is covered by it. Can not see anything, ash falling in some areas (cough such as around my house) Good luck to the firefighters knowing you guys are doing your best.
 
Also not worth taking pictures since well one can not see anything except smoke.

*Cough cough cough*
 
Linoman said:
Also not worth taking pictures since well one can not see anything except smoke.

*Cough cough cough*
Click to expand...

You were on the outside of that and look... now imagine this, they are IN THE MIDDLE OF IT at the HEAD of it... I feel so bad that I can't be there to help...

Damn work! :mad:
 
Am I correct in thinking that as the smoke is much whiter now (as opposed to the brown smoke of early this morning) this is a sign that it is being 'watered' on?
It seems a bit lighter, earlier I kept feeling it was about to rain - very leaden-looking.
 
samisty said:
Am I correct in thinking that as the smoke is much whiter now (as opposed to the brown smoke of early this morning) this is a sign that it is being 'watered' on?
It seems a bit lighter, earlier I kept feeling it was about to rain - very leaden-looking.
Click to expand...

I don't know.
 
samisty said:
Am I correct in thinking that as the smoke is much whiter now (as opposed to the brown smoke of early this morning) this is a sign that it is being 'watered' on?
It seems a bit lighter, earlier I kept feeling it was about to rain - very leaden-looking.
Click to expand...

I agree the smoke is "whiter now." However it is still very thick
 
If I'm not wrong, the darker it is, the heavier the fuel (guilty party would be the pine trees)

Maybe it's burnt through that now... thus why it's whiter or maybe the pine tree fire are out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X