South Africa : Fire-fighters contain blaze at Table Mountain National Park

By Gabi Khumalo

Cape Town - Fire-fighters have managed to contain a blaze which started on Tuesday morning at the Table Mountain National Park, north of Cape Point.

Speaking to BuaNews on Tuesday, Table Mountain National Park Fire Manager Philip Prins said the fire started on the north side of Plateau Road at 9am and was reported to fire control at 09:20am.

"We can't tell what started the fire on the side of the road but we were able to contain it a few minutes ago," Mr Prins told BuaNews.

The fire, fanned by a strong wind, was moving up the mountain. Mr Prins said though it was not threatening any homes, it could pose a threat to a defence force installation in Klawer Valley if it crossed the mountain.

Meanwhile, on Monday due to raging fires on the mountain slopes above Gordon's Bay, the City's Disaster Risk Management Centre (DRM) issued an emergency evacuation order to residents living in the area.

Residents from Upper Watt, Suikerbossie, Valley and Kloof Streets and Gordon's Bay were urged to make their way to the emergency assembly points.

Approximately 150 firefighters were still battling to contain the fire by Monday evening, which was raging in the Overberg District area spreading to the Streenbras Dam Catchment area.

Over the past three days Cape Town has experienced more than 120 shack fires in 11 different informal settlements that resulted in three deaths and more than 360 residents being displaced.

Two helicopters, including 54 fire fighting vehicles, 26 traffic officials, 25 Metro Police Officers, 10 Law Enforcement Officers and 11 DRM officials were deployed to the scene with additional available standby and off-duty fire-fighters were called-up to assist with the fire fighting efforts.

The South African Weather Office has indicated that the current weather conditions are unlikely to change within the next 24-hours, which will hamper the efforts of fire-fighters.

DRM Manager Greg Pillay appealed to residents to exercise caution when they are in the vicinity of fires.

"This situation once again illustrates the need for citizens to exercise extreme caution to reduce fire risk when such dry and windy conditions are being experienced.

"The Disaster Co-ordinating Team is keeping a watchful eye on all the fires and an appeal is made to residents not to inundate emergency contact centres for enquiries as regular updates will be provided," Mr Pillay said.

He said with the arrival of summer, the combination of high daily temperatures and strong winds increases the risk of fires particularly in informal settlements where residents often lack electricity and use primus stoves for cooking and candles and paraffin lamps to provide light.

He said the DRM, Fire and Rescue Services as part of the Festive Season Coordination Plan has stepped up its annual Risk Reduction Campaign.

The campaign raises awareness of the danger of fires and how to reduce the risk that is associated with fires in informal settlements.

"DRM staff, volunteers and Fire and Rescue Services will be handing out information pamphlets and providing residents with practical tips on how to reduce fire risk," Mr Pillay said.

Residents are urged to ensure that every home needs at least one exit route which will enable the occupants to escape should a fire break out.

They should also keep matches, lighters, paraffin and poisons in a safe place that is not accessible to children.

Residents should also keep a bucket of water and a bucket of sand ready to extinguish any fires that may break out.

Should a paraffin stove catch alight, residents should extinguish the flames with sand rather than water,

Mr Pillay further encouraged residents to call emergency services on 107 on a Telkom line and (021) 480-7700 from a cellphone if a fire breaks out.

"When you phone, provide a full address and a landmark (shop or school) close to the fire so that fire-fighters can find the fire scene quickly, and know and show the emergency numbers and teach children how to dial them," he said.

The South African National Defence and Airforce, he said, has been requested to be on standby to assist with aerial firefighting. - BuaNews