Rain and storm for Cpt

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Those pilots aren't letting wind deter them. Two choppers in the air.
 
Gordon_R said:
I just heard/saw one chopper in the area, but it is not a scenario which is safe to operate, nor can they be very effective in steep terrain with downslope winds.
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I saw one in the smoke and another look like it returned to base - you might be right and they can't be dragging water around in this wind. Jinne what a kak spot to have a fire on a day like this.

Edit: This legend just flew back into the fray.
/buys beer

sw.jpg
 
Several fires reportedly caused by lightning strikes yesterday, but only one burning out of control this morning:
www.timeslive.co.za

Lightning strikes spark fires on Cape Town's mountains

The blaze had affected hiking trails
www.timeslive.co.za www.timeslive.co.za
The Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) on Sunday announced that a team of firefighters were returning to some of Cape Town's mountains that were in flames after lightning strikes on Saturday.

In a statement, the TMNP said fires had on Saturday been reported at the Cecilia Forest, Silvermine, and the Cape of Good Hope (Cape Point) main road but these had been contained.

The fire that remained aflame on Sunday was above Skeleton Gorge and the Hely-Hutchinson Reservoir along the Back Table within the park.
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“Firefighting crews and aerial resources have been deployed at first light this morning, providing crucial aerial support to contain and manage the fire effectively above Skeleton Gorge. Unfortunately, due to strong winds, aerial resources have stood down until it is deemed safe to conduct water bombing operations,” TMNP said.
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Segg said:
I was always told, if you want a brown pants moment, go fly a small aircraft near table mountain when the table cloth is on...

Hats off to those fling wing drivers
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The cloud base is getting lower, and the NW wind is crazy, so aerial support is impossible for many hours. Fortunanely there are no structures close to the fire, and good gravel track and footpath access. This will be a holding operation until conditions improve.
 
The wind dropped late on Sunday, and the fire on Table Mt appeared to be subdued. However the NW wind is back again this morning, and there is a long smoke plume extending from the Back Table above Window Gorge.

The CoCT aerial surveillance plane is circling overhead.
Edit: It's quite an unusual aircraft (and distinctive sound), twin inline engine (push/pull) configuration:

1pm update: Sounds of a chopper taking off. Wind is not too strong right now.
 
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Holy fk, the fire has got enormous, if you are in the Southern suburbs look up at the mountain, it’s a massive fireball right now on the mountain top above somewhere around Kirstenbosch
 
airborne said:
Oh sherbet, it looks like it's coming down the mountain?
I would have thought the NW wind would be pushing it over the other side.
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wind is pushing it into Kirstenbosch, skeleton george or window george to the right of skeleton. looks likes its gone up towards maclears, which is still further on right. hashed area is assumed burnt area

not sure if the lower red arm is actual, or its the middle one

1714426849318.png
 
Rocco1 said:
wind is pushing it into Kirstenbosch, skeleton george or window george to the right of skeleton. looks likes its gone up towards maclears, which is still further on right. hashed area is assumed burnt area

not sure if the lower red arm is actual, or its the middle one

View attachment 1700447
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Is the wind not Nw any longer, if so I would have thought it would be blowing the opposite to what your diagram indicates?
 
NW blows almost parallel to TM, aka it wouldn't be blowing over TM from Sea Point to Newlands.
The direction of the flames in your latest pic seems to indicate that the wind is now coming from SE, that's assuming you are taking that pic from the Southern Suburbs?
 
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