Slowbee Posted January 4, 2017 Posted January 4, 2017 Just had to walk my horse to firlands. Fire isn't threatening our house just yet but rather safe than sorry :clap: should have done it earlier when I called , but glad you guys are ok.
Slowbee Posted January 4, 2017 Posted January 4, 2017 :clap: should have done it earlier when I called , but glad you guys are ok.Crap .. just heard DRM say evac HRE ... we are on our way.
Cippo Posted January 4, 2017 Posted January 4, 2017 Got this message from colleague in SWest. 'Police urging community not to drive up to Sir Lowry's Pass to view the fire. All roads are being cordoned off at this stage. All residents in Sir Lowry's Pass and surrounding areas to please be on high alert if evacuation call is made! Thank you. Please assit with taking this message as far as possible as the traffic flow is hampering emergency services in the execution of their duties!Station CommanderSWest SAPS' All the best for those living in area.
CogitoErgoSum Posted January 4, 2017 Posted January 4, 2017 Wow, I do not want to be there. I have battled a few localized fires in my life. We had one two years back that threatened our greenhouse tunnels and the house. The smoke from the bluegum trees were so bad that you couldn't see five meters around you. And the flames jumping 3-4meters into the trees were terrifying. I had a close call with another blaze that pushed me into a concrete wall at a neighbour's place.... had to run and jump a cattle fence to get out. Veld fires are hectic. Very unpredictable. Stay safe guys. Nothing is worth risking yourself Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
Kranswurm Posted January 4, 2017 Posted January 4, 2017 UPDATE 5: #HelderbergFire 04/01/2017 @ 06h30 - A long and difficult night for fire crews last night with the strong wind and making things difficult as two large fires continued to burn in the Helderberg Basin.VWS relief crew has been deployed to take over from the overnight crew.Safe out to all the fire crews out today.---CURRENT WEATHER:http://tinyurl.com/SomersetWestWeatherTemp's expected to peak in the mid- to high 30's today. Lighter winds expected.---ROAD CLOSURES:N2 at Sir Lowry's Pass is OPEN.Access to Sir Lowry's Pass Village remains restricted.Please give way to emergency vehicles.Please DO NOT try to access the affected areas.Tune in to local radio for updates.---ASSISTANCE:Please contact Edwina from Fire Wives @ 0823849699.Drop-off points currently at- 153 Main Road, Somerset West (Neighbourhood Watch)- NG Church Hottentots-Holland, corner of Gordon and Cloentenberg roads- Strand Fire StationThank you for your support!---FOR ANIMAL EMERGENCIES:Cape of Good Hope SPCA: 021 700 4158/9 (A/H 083 326 1604)Animal Welfare Society of SA: 021 852 2268Country Animal Clinic: 021 851 1500)Cottage Vet Clinic: 021 856 2746)---FOR EMERGENCIES: All Incidents: 112TMNP Hotline: 086 110 6417 or theNewlands Fire Base: Tel: 021 689 7438 (TMNP Fires)Cape Winelands Fire: 021 888 5275 / 021 888 5100Cape Town City Fire: 021 480 7700 (cell phone) or 107 (landline)Overberg Disaster Management: 028 425 1690---More updates on Twitter @ vwsfires (#HelderbergFire #GrabouwFire#HanSeKopFZire #VWS #Wildfire)The Volunteer Wildfire Services - Holding the Line Between Fire & Fynbos---
dev null Posted January 4, 2017 Author Posted January 4, 2017 Had to bring my dog into the home last night as the smoke was bad, even here in Strand. He usually sleeps outside. He prefers it that way, but last night he begged to come in.
ChUkKy Posted January 4, 2017 Posted January 4, 2017 locals who know how to walk around these things are now looting deserted houses. This part is what boils my blood the most, this is why many have such a negative outlook on our country. Why can these bastards not just chip in and help rather than steal in tough times like this. Surely the gesture of help will add a positive twist on the whole situation and help them down the line as opposed to building more animosity. I dunno, maybe i'm the idiot
Slowbee Posted January 4, 2017 Posted January 4, 2017 at about 03H30 the fire had done most of the damage and was contained on the border of residential areas. Tre Donne estate was particularly bad together with High Riding Estate. At about 04H30 the fire had split and was now running back up the back of boskloof estate which was evacuated as a precautionary manner. Carrying friends dogs out was interesting. Stayed to help hose thatch houses down with CoCT fire. Things got very tight when the wind picked up and it came over the ridge again. Only the brass balls of a few firemen stopped two houses from burning. It was then that we started running around the estate with spades trying to put out flare ups from flying embers. At about 06H45 the spotter plane arrived closely followed by two helicopters. Lucky the estate has a dam. By 07H00 there was about 2000l of water every 30 seconds as they rotated. A third then arrived and then it was 2000l every 15 - 20 seconds and then a water bomber arrived. I reckon they are now throwing everything at this fire. The wind has died and I think they want it dead today. The fire on han se kop is also out and should stay that way. I have to go to the practice to now help out. When I get back I will post some pics.
fandacious Posted January 4, 2017 Posted January 4, 2017 at about 03H30 the fire had done most of the damage and was contained on the border of residential areas. Tre Donne estate was particularly bad together with High Riding Estate. At about 04H30 the fire had split and was now running back up the back of boskloof estate which was evacuated as a precautionary manner. Carrying friends dogs out was interesting. Stayed to help hose thatch houses down with CoCT fire. Things got very tight when the wind picked up and it came over the ridge again. Only the brass balls of a few firemen stopped two houses from burning. It was then that we started running around the estate with spades trying to put out flare ups from flying embers. At about 06H45 the spotter plane arrived closely followed by two helicopters. Lucky the estate has a dam. By 07H00 there was about 2000l of water every 30 seconds as they rotated. A third then arrived and then it was 2000l every 15 - 20 seconds and then a water bomber arrived. I reckon they are now throwing everything at this fire. The wind has died and I think they want it dead today. The fire on han se kop is also out and should stay that way. I have to go to the practice to now help out. When I get back I will post some pics.Terry thank you so much for your assistance last night. We're all so grateful
Karman de Lange Posted January 4, 2017 Posted January 4, 2017 so if you are not sure how true it is why carry on the rumour ? it smacks of undertones. it is an insult to those who do volunteer and protect us. do you also sabotage your work so you can get more money ? just to be clear. there were 3 distinct fires. one at sir lowries, one behind boskloof and one back end of morgenster area all of them started within 5 min of each other - and all related to arson and they have witness's and NO they were not firefighters Slowbee , not meant to be insult to ordinary firefighters. Should have used "part time firefighters" and not "volunteers"., Its make perfect sense for them (Part time guys) as they currently don't have money coming in, create a fire now they have work for a week or two. Same mentality as lets throw rubbish out the window so we create jobs for others.
dev null Posted January 4, 2017 Author Posted January 4, 2017 Yes, they must kill this thing dead today. This afternoon the SE picks up again, and who knows when it will die down for more than a day. Looks like we will have a month of crazy SE, and who knows what will happen. We must be vigilant.
Karman de Lange Posted January 4, 2017 Posted January 4, 2017 This part is what boils my blood the most, this is why many have such a negative outlook on our country. Why can these bastards not just chip in and help rather than steal in tough times like this. Surely the gesture of help will add a positive twist on the whole situation and help them down the line as opposed to building more animosity. I dunno, maybe i'm the idiot Chukky, Drifting off topic, but I also always wondered why they do this , Until employing few of the locals . They don't think of tomorrow , they only think of today and how they going to get food/money today. If you give them R 1000 , they will simply go buy a nice cell phone or new TV (or those that drink go drink all out), then go hungry again tomorrow. I've tried many times to tell them to save up or think of bit further, but thats not how they were brought up.
PhilipV Posted January 4, 2017 Posted January 4, 2017 Jeez slowbee, you are a man amongst men. Good luck for today.
ChUkKy Posted January 4, 2017 Posted January 4, 2017 Chukky, Drifting off topic, but I also always wondered why they do this , Until employing few of the locals . They don't think of tomorrow , they only think of today and how they going to get food/money today. If you give them R 1000 , they will simply go buy a nice cell phone or new TV (or those that drink go drink all out), then go hungry again tomorrow. I've tried many times to tell them to save up or think of bit further, but thats not how they were brought up. Yep, I know this.You worded it nicely, well said. Im known to not show such tact at times and be a lot more blunt. I hope the guys all come right and get these fires under control soon.
Bateleur1 Posted January 4, 2017 Posted January 4, 2017 Thinking of you guys in the cape. Strongs to all involved.
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