2015/16 Fire Season Rears its Head

With EWN reporting on one page:

“Several recreational sites affected by the South Peninsula fires have been reopened to the public, just in time for the start of SA National Parks Week. Teams have been working tirelessly to restore various footpaths and infrastructure destroyed during the blaze [Muizenberg Fire] earlier this year.”

…and on another:

“A fire has been reported at Swartkopberg near Simon’s Town. Table Mountain National Park and Volunteer Wildfire Services officials have been dispatched to the site. … The City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service and Table Mountain National Park officials are monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, firefighters are battling a blaze at Murdock Valley and Cape Point Ostrich Farm.”

…it seems the 2015/2016 fire season is determined to make an appearance far earlier than usual. We have, as yet, no reason to know if this is the case but, with several fires being monitored in the Southern Section of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), we have enough reason to be concerned.

For those of us involved in (or learning of) today’s prepublication launch campaign of ‘The Cape of Flame – Cape Town’s Dance with Fire’, the above blazes could not – unfortunately – come as more timely reminders that we are facing yet another daunting fire season.

Following record temperatures last summer and unseasonally low rains through winter, the organisations benefiting from sales of The Cape Aflame will be infinitely better placed to counter the unpredictable fire season ahead.

Please lend them your support by visiting capeaflame.com and placing your order. You’ll be in possession of a book worth infinitely more than its cover price and an unusually high percentage of its net price will go directly to the organisations most in need.

“Strong winds are hampering firefighting efforts in Simon’s Town. Dozens of crews, assisted by firefighters from the Table Mountain National Park and the South African Navy, have been monitoring the blaze raging in Murdock Valley this afternoon.

“Officials say while the fire is largely inaccessible to ground patrols, no helicopters have been commissioned. The city’s Theo Layne said, ‘We can’t use helicopters because we don’t have them at the moment and we only have them from November to January.'” [EWN]