Fire Management and Burning

[Richprins]

Seems quiet this afternoon!

[Dzombo]

Seems quiet this afternoon!

Is the fire out ?

[Lisbeth]

Seems so

[Richprins]

Media Release: Natural Cause Ruled Out As Possible Reason of TMNP Wildfire in April

24 June 2021

South African National Parks (SANParks) said an independent fire report on the wildfire that burned about 600 hectares of land within the Table Mountain National Park and some neighbouring properties on Sunday, 18 April 2021 ruled out natural causes such as rock falls or lightning strikes or an accidental/negligent incident such as an abandoned camping/cooking fire as possible causes of the fire. The latter, therefore, confirms the fact that the fire was not started by homeless persons as was initially alleged.

This according to SANParks Acting Chief Executive Officer, Dr Luthando Dziba, who said various potential causes of the fire were thoroughly assessed by an independent investigator - Enviro Wildfire (Pty) Ltd. He stated that the investigation report provides compelling evidence suggesting that the fire may have been started as a malicious act. This evidence is currently being investigated by law enforcement agencies.

The report states that according to CCTV footage and eyewitnesses, the fire started at approximately 8:40 under extreme weather conditions such as very warm temperatures (26 degrees Celsius) and low relative humidity (19%). Within a few hours, the temperature had increased to 34 degrees Celsius and the relative humidity had decreased to 13%, with a prevailing north-westerly breeze of approximately 12 km/h. These conditions in addition to dry vegetation presented an ideal environment for the rapid spread of the fire due to the high fire danger index. In turn, the increase in wind speed and a change in the wind direction caused embers to land outside of the burn area where they ignited the surrounding veld.

According to Dr Dziba, the situation could have been much worse if the strategic relationship between SANParks and various stakeholders including the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality were not in place. "This provided for a well-organised effort in suppressing the fire from the ground and air-support within reasonably good time."

The firefighting team consisted of SANParks, NCC Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd, City of Cape Town, Working on Fire, Volunteers Wildfire Services and the South African National Defence Force. A total of five firefighters were injured while fighting the fire. "These men and women acted in the best interest of the community despite the extremely grim weather conditions and did so at their own risk to their welfare and safety."

Extensive damage occurred to the Rhodes Memorial restaurant, University of Cape Town and the historic Mostert Mill and various private properties as a result of windblown smouldering embers landing in and on dry combustible materials such as thatch, exotic pines, palm trees, ivy and leaves in gutters.

Dr Dziba also thanked Cape Town residents and businesses for their generosity and donations of food, drinks and other necessities for the firefighters and extend his sincere thanks to the firefighters for their bravery and dedication. He also thanked the members of the public who assisted the investigation.

The independent fire report is available from the SANParks website at the following link https://www.sanparks.org/about/news/?id=58294 and will also be distributed to the media houses for information.

Some Excerpts from the fire report:

On Sunday morning 18 April 2021 at approximately 08h40 a fire originated on Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) property in the area known as Hospital Bend in close proximity to Philip Kgosana Drive.
The weather conditions, as confirmed by weather data, CCTV camera footage and eyewitness accounts were a calm/very light breeze (the smoke was going straight up), the air being warm and dry, and these conditions prevailed until approximately 10h00.
Due to the unusually and extremely dry conditions (the humidity dropped to below 15%) smouldering embers in the warm smoke column started to fall outside of the burn area from about 10h15 when the wind increased in speed and changed to a north-westerly direction. These embers caused new fires to start over a wide area.
The TMNP was and continues to be a member of the local fire protection association (Cape Peninsula Fire Protection Association). TMNP complied with the legal requirements of the National Veld and Forest Fire Act including aspects pertaining to the preparation and maintenance of firebreaks, as well as the readiness for firefighting and actions to fight fires.
The clearing and eradication of alien vegetation within the TMNP is an ongoing task. Over the past 36 months, approximately 620 ha have been cleared in the area where the fire occurred and an amount of R 5.1m spent since 2011. This is in addition to the approximately R 63m that has been spent over the past 4 years in other parts of the Park.
The TMNP has an active fuel reduction and ecological burning programme that is implemented upon the approval of burning permits issued by the City of Cape Town.
The extremely low humidity coupled with an increase in wind speed and a change in the wind direction caused embers carried in the warm smoke column to land outside of the burn area where they ignited the surrounding veld. The dry vegetation and wind caused the fire to spread rapidly over a wide front.

Issued by:
SANParks - Table Mountain National Park

Media Enquiries:
Reynold "Rey" Thakhuli
SANParks Acting Head of Communications
Cell: 073 373 4999 or email: rey.thakhuli@sanparks.org

[Lisbeth]

Too many sick people around

[Lisbeth]

Security to be tightened on Table Mountain after devastating fire ‘started deliberately’

By Onke Ngcuka• 28 June 2021


Firefighters battle the raging fire in gale-force winds and heavy smoke in Vredehoek, Cape Town on 19 April 2021. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)

A new security plan for the Table Mountain area is being put in place following the devastating fire in April that tore through 600ha of land and destroyed historical buildings.

South African National Parks (SANParks) has launched a new joint operation centre (JOC) to combat crime in the Table Mountain area. This comes after an investigation showing the April fire that ripped through the park and parts of the University of Cape Town was caused by a malicious act.

The operation is in its first phase — establishing a point of contact for reporting emergencies or security concerns by park users, SANParks spokesperson Rey Thakhuli told Daily Maverick.

Phase 1 includes CCTV monitoring, day and night patrols, removing people from the park after regular hours and conducting patrols focusing on hotspots.

“The command centre will also be able to dispatch resources to areas of concern while serving as the main intelligence collection point for Table Mountain National Park with regard to safety and security matters,” Thakhuli said.

The JOC is a partnership that includes the City of Cape Town’s law enforcement division, the SAPS and the SANDF.

Increased security measures were enforced after an investigation by Rob Erasmus of Enviro Wildfire Services that ruled out natural causes or negligence as possible reasons for the April wildfire. The findings from the report show that a vehicle had slowed down at the originating point of the fire at Devil’s Peak and, two minutes after it drove off, the fire started.


The fire rages above Vredehoek, Cape Town on 19 April 2021. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)

Speculation on the possible cause of the fire initially pointed to the homeless community in the Table Mountain area, though the investigation ruled this possibility out. A homeless person had been arrested initially, but charges of arson were subsequently withdrawn.

Dry conditions, temperatures of around 30°C and increasing wind speeds added to the spread of the fire. The indigenous fynbos vegetation, which covers much of the Table Mountain area, was also a contributing factor to the spread of the blaze.

Thakhuli said that in addition to added security measures, it was important that fire management strategies are designed in conjunction with role players such as the City of Cape Town. These efforts are to address challenges such as invasive alien plant removal, biodiversity maintenance and the urban edge’s fire preparedness.

“Public awareness on matters relating to fire management such as fire preparedness, good conduct and fireproofing of homes and infrastructure on the urban edge is critical,” the spokesperson said.

SANParks is a member of the Fire Protection Association, which enables it to be prepared for and maintain firebreaks, as well as having the human resources and equipment to manage wildfires.

Though SANParks has acknowledged the homelessness problem that affects the area, it has said that it does not have the resources to deal with the situation, but is keen to contribute to finding sustainable solutions.

The investigation into the fire is ongoing and SANParks has, according to Thakhuli, handed over relevant information to law enforcement. There is a R10,000 reward for any information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of those suspected of starting the fire. DM

[Richprins]

Table Mountain park reopens northern section to visitors after fire
By TimesLIVE - 05 July 2021 - 14:23
Sections of Table Mountain National Park have been reopened after fires in April.


SA National Park (SANParks) is reopening sections of Table Mountain National Park which were closed to the public after April’s devastating fires.

Park manager Frans van Rooyen said rehabilitation work started immediately after the fire with attention given to restoring access and the natural elements.

“Three months after the fires, fynbos recovery is showing great progress and mountain lovers can again look forward to their favourite hikes and to see the wonders of fynbos.”

The recovery of fynbos had been closely monitored by scientists studying the return of plants and animals after the fires.

Van Rooyen confirmed more work is in progress and SANParks has appointed a contractor who is cutting trees.


Reopened park areas include Quarries, Devil’s Peak, King’s Blockhouse, Devil’s Peak lower slopes and Rhodes contour path.

Reopened entry points include Quarries, Devil’s Peak footpaths and peak, King’s Blockhouse, Devil’s Peak lower slopes, Dead Man’s Tree contour path and Round Table Newlands Ravine.

Rhodes Memorial/Estate, the Game Camp and Deer Park remain closed until further notice as there are still dangerous trees that need to be cut.

Park management has been advised to open the burnt area in a phased approach where veld recovery and footpath rebuilding have shown good progress.

“Teams have been hard at work implementing rehabilitation plans to allow for the reopening of certain areas,” Van Rooyen said.

“We request users and visitors to these areas to continue exercising patience and allow the rehabilitation work to proceed without obstructions.”

TimesLIVE

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/sout ... fter-fire/

[Lisbeth]

Already three months ago! Time is running too fast