The Most Dangerous Criminal of All

Consider – A burglar might rob you of a few possessions, but a sudden fire could sweep away absolutely everything - including the precious lives of your loved ones.

Visit the Cape of Fire website to learn of the danger of wildfires >>>>  CLICK HERE

We  welcome your comments – to leave a message on the blog,  just click on the title of the article you are reading and then scroll to the bottom of the page and fill in the box.

January 31, 2011 • Posted in: Uncategorized • No Comments

Red Hill Fire

The Recent fire on Redhill should be a warning to us of the increasing risk to our homes as we head further into the fire season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLEASE HELP REDUCE THE FIRE RISK IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

The City of Cape Town welcomes participation by South Peninsula communities in the fight against Aliens.

Make your own neighbourhood safe, by reporting any plots in your area that are overgrown or infested with invasive alien plants and send it in to the council at the following address – John.Mathyse@capetown.gov.za with a copy to Gerard.Langenhoven@capetown.gov.za

 

The Council will then write to the landowners requesting that they clear their land of invasive aliens and take further action as necessary.

 

Ctr CLICK on the following link to visit  the Cape of Fire website to find more information about the risks of runaway fires in our area and ways to make your home safer.

CAPE of FIRE

 

There are photos and descriptions of the Alien Species that pose the biggest threat on our website on the “Know Your Aliens Pages”.

Cape of Fire http://www.southerncrossroads.info/capeoffire/

 

February 1, 2012 • Posted in: Uncategorized • No Comments

Thanks for Improving the Welcome Glen Firebreak

—–Original Message—–
From: Allan & Clare Roy [mailto:royfamily@polka.co.za]
Sent: 23 January 2012 12:03 AM
To: ‘Gerard Langenhoven’
Cc: Geoff Brundrit; ‘Lesley Shackleton’; Arne Soderland; africoe@iafrica.com; ‘Phoebe Barnard’; Aliet Pelt; Fran Black; kenfin@mweb.co.za; Don Stepto; Roy Burnie; John Mathyse; ‘Felicity Purchase’; ‘Simon Liell-Cock’; Louise Stafford
Subject: Thank you!!

 

Dear Gerard,

 

Thank You very much for the new boundaries to the Welcome Glen Fire Break – cut last week!  The fire-break on the South Eastern border of Welcome Glen was widened – more than its been in previous years – which is a great relief!

 

I regard the South Eastern border as our most vulnerable because of the prevailing fire season wind combined with the fuel load in that corner – so to have a more thoroughly cut fire break is a huge bonus – Thank You!

 

I sincerely hope the City will pressure the Dept of Public Works more effectively this year, to clear the land behind the fire break in the near future.

Besides greatly reducing our wild fire risk - it would also be a huge advantage to the City, by reducing the magnitude of future maintenance of the newly sharpened fire-breaks.

 

Many thanks again,

Clare

 

Clare Roy

Glencairn Fire Watch

021 781 0942

 

CONTROLLED BURN – DIDO VALLEY

Steve,

I can assure you the burn is in very good hands. Dalton Gibbs is the fire boss, supported by Working on Fire, the SA Navy, Volunteer Wildfire services, Philip Prins and we contracted a very experienced fire fighting team to do the actual burn.

Regards,

Louise Stafford

Invasive Species Coordinator

City of Cape Town Invasive Species Programme

Environmental Resource Management
Nature Conservation, Westlake Office
Ou Kaapse Weg, Tokai
Postnet Suite 80, Private Bag X 26,

Tokai, 7966
South Africa
Tel: +27 21 712 1944/1434

Fax: +27 86 578 0410

www.capetown.gov.za/environment

 

From: steve [mailto:africoe@iafrica.com]
Sent: 29 September 2011 11:59 AM
To: Louise Stafford
Cc: ‘Sandy Barnes’; ‘Royfamily’; ‘Rob Erasmus’; Simon Liell-Cock; Felicity Purchase; ‘Phoebe Barnard’; ‘Chad Cheney’; ‘Cilla Bromley’; ‘Lesley Shackleton’
Subject: RE: Planned controlled burn – Dido valley

 

Dear Louise,

Thanks for the information.

We fully understand the need to burn, and acknowledge that it is your right as a landowner to do so  in terms of the law. However we can’t help being extremely  nervous about the planned operation, as it is now very late in the year for safe burning – especially in view  of the low rainfall experienced this winter and the huge patches of uncontrolled biomass remaining on the hillside above the area you are to burn (notably Erf 1).

The clearing of Erf 1 particularly is a very sore point with us, as it seems that there has been no progress in this matter, in spite of many representations to the council by concerned residents in this regard. If all that thick bush were to catch fire there would be terrible consequences both for our valley and also for Da Gama Park.

All we can say is – please take no risks at all, especially with the wind,  have major firefighting resources present throughout, and be very, very careful. It would only take one spark!

Regards

Steve Coe

—–Original Message—–
From: Louise Stafford [mailto:Louise.Stafford@capetown.gov.za]
Sent: 28 September 2011 10:23 AM
To: Steve Coe
Cc: Sandy Barnes; Royfamily; Rob Erasmus; Simon Liell-Cock; Felicity Purchase; Phoebe Barnard; Chad Cheney
Subject: Planned controlled burn – Dido valley

Dear Steve,

You might have noticed that we are clearing invasive plants at Dido valley, next to the Navy and the Scratch patch. The property is managed by the City housing department and it is also the planned site relocation of the Redhill community.

The clearing resulted in a lot of biomass which need to burn before summer to prevent it from becoming a fire hazard. The burning permit has been approved by City fire, air pollution and the sub-council.

This mail is to inform you that the fuel reduction burn will take place before the 15th of October. We are just waiting for suitable weather conditions.

The FPA, WoF, and relevant City departments will be involved. Dalton Gibbs from City biodiversity management is the fire boss.

Regards,

Louise Stafford

Invasive Species Coordinator

City of Cape Town Invasive Species Programme

Environmental Resource Management
Nature Conservation, Westlake Office
Ou Kaapse Weg, Tokai
Postnet Suite 80, Private Bag X 26,

Tokai, 7966
South Africa
Tel: +27 21 712 1944/1434

Fax: +27 86 578 0410

www.capetown.gov.za/environment

Enviro Wildfire Services

Good morning

Attached, please find the June 2011 edition of the WILDFIRE newsletter.

Please feel free to circulate it to others in the field of wildfire management.

Regards

Rob

To open – click on the link > > > >   03 Newsletter June 2011

 

Rob Erasmus

Enviro Wildfire Services

P.O. Box 425, Bergvliet, 7864

Cell: 083 411 3378

Fax to email : 086 571 1809

Tips from Firewise

The following tips were given out in the April Newsletter of the STCA

 

Firewise

We will all have seen the terrible fires across the Bay at Somerset West and felt for the fear and loss of the residents there. Some valuable tips from the ‘Firescaping Your Garden’ pamphlet.

 

Volunteers needed

The Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) plan to set up a dedicated base for the Far South for a faster reaction to wild fires in our area.  They are asking for volunteers to train not only as fire fighters, but in logistics, planning, control and driving. If you feel you might be able to help, please contact Allan Roy on 021 781 0942.

May 1, 2011 • Posted in: Fire Prevention • No Comments

VWS Needs Recruits in the Far South

 

 

Dear All,

 

The Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) plans to set up a dedicated base for the Far South to provide faster reaction to wild fires in the area.  Many of our mountains have not seen fire since 2000 – there are large areas that could burn - so we need to be prepared for it in the next fire season.

 

To achieve this, we need volunteers who are prepared to be trained to man this new Far South base in various areas:

 

We require people to run the logistics, planning,control and driving and people who are physically fit who could be trained as fire fighters – without a full team we cannot fight fires.

 

All training will take place at the existing Newlands Base during the next 6 months - to be ready for the official fire season that begins on the 1st November.

 

The VWS relies completely on sponsorship and donations to operate, so if you can assist us financially that would also help as the new base does require a vehicle and equipment.

 

For more information on the VWS, visit our website on: www.vws.co.za

 

Don’t worry that the dates for the recruitment meetings posted on the website have already past, but we are extending the application time for the Far South to accommodate a new base.

 

If you are interested in either joining or supporting or know someone who might, please reply to this email.

 

Kind regards,

 

Allan

 

Allan Roy

Volunteer Wildfire Services

allanroy@polka.co.za

 

Recruitment for VWS

Dear All,
 
If you know any people who might be interested in joining the Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) for the 2011/2012 Fire Season, please encourage them to go to the Recruitment Meeting (tonight!!) and send them this flier or point them to the website (www.capefires.com).
 

 
During the meeting they will explain what the VWS is about and answer any questions about qualifying to join the VWS.
 
The VWS are looking into setting up a base in the Far South – but they need support to make it a reality – in the form of more members based in the Far South and sponsorship for equipment.
nwl.training@capefires.com
 
 
Regards,
Clare
 

2011-NWL-Recruitment.jpg

Glencairn and Simonstown Firewise at Navy Festival

Dear Geoff (STCA), Aliet (GFW), Julie (GFW) and Leanne (Firewise – Working on Fire),
 
A belated – but most sincere THANK YOU!!  for stepping up at short notice to assist at our Firewise stand at the Navy Festival!
 
It was excellent to have your presence at our stand – to speak up for “Firewise”… together we managed to fill two pages of signatures of Firewise interested folk - and some who would like to see their own communities getting involved. 
 
A number of those who signed up were from the Far South… and some as far a field as Wellington.  They will all be contacted, through Firewise and hopefully get their own areas changing before fire hits their neighbourhoods in the next season.
 
The Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) ended up being the major part of our stand – which made us look so professional! – they have lots of marketing material and had an excellent team on duty for both Saturday and Sunday – they filled out 4 1/2 pages of signatures for new Firefighter recruits for the coming training season.  They had their first introductory meeting for new recruits on Wednesday where they had a whopper turnout of over 60 people – many who came from the Navy Festival. 
 
The success of our involvement (although arranged at the very last minute) suggests that we will be involved with it again, next year.  The VWS are keen to have an even greater presence next time, but that is still to be worked out.
 
Here are a few pics for those of you who didn’t see us in action… and for those who did – for a huge pat on the back!!!
 
 
Our combined VWS and Firewise stand (initiated by Glencairn Fire Watch – GFW)
 
Geoff Brundrit working alongside the VWS – doing his bit for Firewise
 
  
 
 
Here, Julie takes her turn – wearing our newly produced Firewise/Glencairn Fire Watch bibs 
 
 
 
And a young enthusiast also stepped in for GFW and was a real trooper - my eldest son who is almost 8 years old
 
Our smallest mascot who just had to get a look in.
 
 
Thanks again for your help!!
 
Warmest,
Clare
 
Clare Roy
Chairperson
Glencairn Fire Watch
glencairnfirewatch@gmail.com
021 781 0942
April 15, 2011 • Posted in: Fire Prevention • No Comments

Warning Sent to Owner of Erf 1

Dear Neighbour

Further to earlier communication – the following is a copy of the warning sent to the owner of Erf 1 from the Glencairn Fire Watch regarding the extreme fire risk that his overgrown  property poses for the residents of Glencairn valley

Glencairn Fire Watch

c/o 23 Glen alpine Road

Welcome Glen

7975

Telephone: 021 781 0942

Email:  glencairnfirewatch@gmail.com

23 March 2011

Martin Kelly

Cape Town Coastal Properties Pty Ltd

32 Cockburn Close

Simon’s Town 7975

Dear Sir,

Further to: Alien Vegetation Fire Hazard – Erf 1, Simon’s Town

On 9th of February 2011, we sent you a letter regarding the serious threat to the lives and property of Glencairn residents from the heavy infestation of invasive alien plants species that has been allowed to develop on your property, Erf 1, Simon’s Town. We informed you of our concern that there is a very real threat of a runaway fire crossing from your land into the adjacent suburb at this time of year. We offered to meet with you or a representative to discuss the problem

To date, we have had no reply from yourself, nor from any of your representatives. We are therefore left with no alternative but to take the legal route to support efforts to have the land cleared at your expense and for you to be compelled to comply with all aspects of the Fire Safety regulations in terms of the National Veld and Forest Fire Act and municipal fire safety bylaws.

We further give formal notice that you will be held directly responsible by our community should a fire break out in the interim and cross over from your property, if the land has not been adequately cleared and the required fire precautions (as per the national Veld and Forest Fire Act and other regulations) are not in place, (i.e. firebreaks, management plan, standby firefighting team etc.). In such an event we would not hesitate to lay charges against you directly in your personal capacity for criminal negligence and would also support any civil action against you and/or your company(s) for damages, should any of our residents suffer loss as a result. 

Yours faithfully,

Clare Roy

Chairperson

Glencairn Fire Watch

April 12, 2011 • Posted in: Fire Prevention • No Comments

Fire Alert

Press releases from City Council Posted on 09/04/2011 by admin

CITY OF CAPE TOWN

 

MEDIA RELEASE

 

07 APRIL 2011

 

Gusting south-easterly winds continue: fire danger warning for Cape Metropole

 

The South African Weather Service has forecast that the gale force south-easterly winds (35kt or 65km/h) will persist for the remainder of the day between Table Bay and Cape Agulhas.

This morning the Weather Office issued an additional warning of a high veld fire danger rating across the Cape Metropole.

The current weather conditions for the Cape Metropole are cloudy and cool. For the weekend high temperatures between the high 20’s and 30’s are forecast.

The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre and Fire and Rescue Service are accordingly advising the public to take precautions against wind damage and to be alert about fire safety.

These conditions are favourable for runaway fires that could easily become major blazes.

”The risk of fires spreading in informal settlements is extremely high in these conditions – residents should ensure that domestic cooking fires and heating or lighting devices are placed in safe and secure places” says the City’s Chief Fire Officer, Ian Schnetler.

FIRE SAFETY WITH REGARD TO STRUCTURAL FIRES

 

 

The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre is appealing to residents to take the following measures to prevent wind damage:

 

“It is important to secure your property by affixing permanent wind shutters, which offer the best protection for windows, or utilising boarding,” said Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, Acting Head: Disaster Risk Management Centre.

The fire danger warning for the Cape Metropole will be enforced for today and the general public are requested to apply fire safe practices.

Solomons-Johannes appealed to the general public to heed to the public advisory issued and to listen to the radio or watch television news for the latest weather forecast.

Any emergency and/or distress call can be reported to the 107 emergency number from a Telkom line. Cellphone users need to dial 021 480 7700. The sooner you phone, the sooner

April 12, 2011 • Posted in: Fire Prevention • No Comments