Oudekraal\12 Apostles fire

[scudsucker]

There's plenty of fresh water in the dams on top of the mountain. Was up a couple of weeks ago, they are all full.

 

[Gordon_R]

There's plenty of fresh water in the dams on top of the mountain. Was up a couple of weeks ago, they are all full.

The sea is a lot closer than the top of the mountain. Edit: Its also windier and cloudy on top today. I thought no pilot would fly up there, but seems so from full length video (posted below).

Can we please put this matter to rest: http://capewatermatters.co.za/firef...h-the-drought-where-does-the-water-come-from/

helicopter pilots will pull water from any available source to quench a fire, including the sea, but primarily lakes, dams, reservoirs, rivers and even swimming pools
when hovering close to the water, salt water spray causes an increase in helicopter maintenance requirements, which means pilots prefer to use fresh water
there will be long term damage done to soil if large quantities of salt water are dumped

The wind brings masses of sea spray onto the land each year, its normal in coastal areas...

Edit: Full length video of firefighting crews: https://twitter.com/vwsfires/status/918139049394745345

 

[genetic]

You disagree but state helicopters need to be washed after coming in contact with salt water? :erm:

Yes, all helicopters have to be washed after coming in contact with salt water or salt water spray.

http://www.helicoptermaintenancemagazine.com/article/great-maintenance-headache-corrosionerosion

 

[ChrisJ]

The two air force helicopters were using the dams on the back table

 

[gfmalan]

 

[Grant]

We have plenty of water here, if you want any?

take a closer look at the picture skippy

 

[Johnatan56]

Noticed it on the other side of the mountain earlier today, Observatory/Rondebosh, even asked the security if they knew where the fire was, we were running around trying to find it on the premises.

 

[Hosehead]

There's a massive fuel load on the 12 Apostles slopes. It can go pear shaped really really fast as that side hasn't had a burn in yonks
It's time for one now though but not with such a combustible load.,.

 

[Gordon_R]

There's a massive fuel load on the 12 Apostles slopes. It can go pear shaped really really fast as that side hasn't had a burn in yonks
It's time for one now though but not with such a combustible load.,.

Unfortunately there is a tradeoff between agressive fire-fighting at the urban edge, and fuel load accumulation over the years.

The optimum time for burns is late-April/May, when there is less wind. However, that is not when the most destructive fires start!?

 

[Gordon_R]

Flare-ups this morning: http://ewn.co.za/2017/10/12/strong-winds-hampering-oudekraal-firefighting-efforts

Strong winds are hampering fire-fighting efforts in the Oudekraal-Camps Bay area.

The blaze has been raging since Wednesday.

SANParks' Merle Collins says firefighting efforts will be bolstered if need be.

"The fire is in an inaccessible area. It's steep, the vegetation is dense and it is extremely hot. It [the fire] started on private property yesterday and has moved on to Table Mountain National Park property. It is high up in the mountains and is not easy to access by our ground crew."

 

[SkippyRamirez]

take a closer look at the picture skippy

Yes, but that is dirty sea water. We had new water freshly delivered.

 

[maumau]

Nothing on the news?

 

[Grant]

Yes, but that is dirty sea water. We had new water freshly delivered.

dirty ?

take a 3rd look

 

[Ockie]

Those talking about dumping sea water on the fire. What is the consequences when it comes to soil quality? Wont it basically kill any plants and seeds that tries to grow in that soil after?

 

[The_Librarian]

Yoh, imagine you plan a nice braai, only to have it turn into a raging inferno...

 

[EMAM]

And it's raging out of control again....wind is also howling

 

[Gordon_R]

The SW wind is howling today (was from the west yesterday), and the fire is both flaring-up, and being pushed towards Camps Bay (the original slightly misleading thead title).

Photo: https://twitter.com/TrafficSA/status/918493546218491904

Trffic: https://twitter.com/vwsfires/status/918493152591466497

VWS Wildfires @vwsfires
#VictoriaDrive has been closed! Stay away from the area and let emergency services through.

adam ray‏ @madwilli103 20m20 minutes ago
This has the making of a **** storm. An hour or so of daylight left, limited aerial support and a howling SE'ly....not good. realy not good

 

[Grant]

Those talking about dumping sea water on the fire. What is the consequences when it comes to soil quality? Wont it basically kill any plants and seeds that tries to grow in that soil after?

it takes a significant amount of salt to do permanent damage

google: salting the earth

 

[Gordon_R]

Edit: Burning after dark, scary photo: https://twitter.com/VulcanWildfire/status/918553790302818305


I can't see much from the other side of the mountain, but this view from the Milnerton webcam around sunset looked fairly apocalyptic! Camps Bay is on the far side (over Kloof Nek). Note the strong wind and Table Cloth.

 

[Gordon_R]

The wind has changed direction again, but is a lot calmer today (Friday). Reports indicate that the fire has reached the Back Table, which hasn't burned in years.

https://twitter.com/ewnreporter/status/918688415192825856

EWN Reporter‏ @ewnreporter
#CTFire Collins:"It's burning quite high up on the mountains &it's definitely spread over to the back table of Table Mountain National Park"