Jonkershoek fire 2021

[Karman de Lange]

35mm yesterday

 

http://lognet.saeon.ac.za:8088/Dwarsberg/index.htm

 

for mere mortals

http://weather.lcao.co.za/index.php/Special_CurrentWeather

 

and history

http://www.weather.lcao.co.za/index.php/Special_WeatherStatsRainfall

 

edit:

seems to be bit "agter"  .. we had about 30 mm since rain started yesterday

Edited March 10, 2021 by Karman de Lange

[ChrisF]

37mm over the last 24 hours in Bellville.  Significantly less than originally predicted ....

[NickGM]

37mm over the last 24 hours in Bellville.  Significantly less than originally predicted ....

 

52mm at Mont Marie, very close to JHK as the crow flies:

https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/IWPJAMES3/graph/2021-03-11/2021-03-11/weekly

 

JHK likely got a bit more than that. It wasn't high intensity stuff though, just constant. And we need the rain more than we don't need it, if that makes sense. People seem to think we got loads of rain last year, but as Karman's link shows, Stellenbosch hasn't had an above average rainfall year since 2014. 

[OVERDRIVE]

Sure someone has already put this up but just in case it was missed, a nice write up:

 

https://www.news24.com/ride24/news/mountain-bikers-will-rebuild-jonkershoek-20210303

[openmind]

Saw this yesterday:

 

Cape Winelands District Municipality - Media Release -

Overview of the Stellenbosch Fire: 22 February – 3 March 2021

 

The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services and its partner CapeNature battled a fire in the mountains above Franschhoek and Stellenbosch for eight days. 

 

The fire was originally reported in the Overberg mountains on Sunday 21 February 2021. In the late afternoon of Monday 22 February, the fire crested the mountain peaks into the Banhoek Mountains outside Franschhoek and during the next few days it spread to the Berg River Dam area. The fire teams diverted the fire line away from the R45 and farmland on Thursday. Although the fire was around 68% contained by late night on Thursday, the combination of a change in the wind direction and intensity allowed the fire to crest the mountains and travel into the more populace Jonkershoek Valley. 

 

At this stage, the incident command activated Provincial Disaster Management, local law enforcement teams from Stellenbosch Municipality as well as the Disaster Management division of the CWDM. A public notice was issued to encourage residents to cooperate with authorities, should evacuation become necessary. 

 

Firefighting efforts were hampered by the dense smoke, which also prevented the deployment of aerial resources. 

The next two days, 26 and 27 February, proved to be the most challenging days of the battle. Fuelled by dense, aged, mixed vegetation and a stiff breeze, the flames quickly spread down the inhabited Jonkershoek Valley. All efforts were focused on diverting the fire line away from residential infrastructure. Late on Friday afternoon, the wind shifted slightly, allowing the deployment of aerial resources that immediately started water bombing the more inaccessible areas.

 

In the early hours of Saturday, a small group of families who reside in an informal settlement in the Jonkershoek Valley were relocated to a community hall. This decision was based on community safety protocols and was not a forced evacuation. The families were returned to their homes later the same day. 

The fire continued spreading from the Jonkershoek area across the mountains over Bothmaskop, following a path past Coetzenberg and into the Blaauwklippen area. The fire line ran virtually parallel to the Blaauwklippen road. 

At this stage of the firefighting operation there were 236 firefighters, groundcrews and team leaders distributed in various high-risk areas, supported by 13 CWDM, three CapeNature, six Stellenbosch Municipality and three West Coast District Municipality purpose-built fire vehicles. The aerial resources were made up of two Hueys of the CWDM/CapeNature, one Blackhawk of Provincial Disaster Management and an Oryx made available by the SANDF. 

 

Despite dire predictions of strong gales, the wind died completely in the late afternoon of Saturday and the teams made excellent progress during the cooler night hours. A flare-up occurred during the early evening in the previously contained Jonkershoek Valley, but was swiftly attended to by a combination of ground and aerial resources. 

 

By Sunday afternoon, many of the teams were able to stand down and return to their workstations. The wind stayed calm and unexpected light showers certainly aided dampening down efforts. The CWDM fire teams, contracted ground teams and the various teams from CapeNature continued with the management of flare-ups, monitoring and mopping-up operations for the next 48 hours. 

 

The fire was declared 99% contained on Tuesday 2 March, although a smouldering fire line in an inaccessible area of Banhoek kept two of CapeNature’s crews busy for a while longer as this fire line proved to be difficult to access. 

The CWDM Fire Services reported that the incredible team effort of dedicated firefighters and ground team members, and a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities resulted in no loss of life, livelihood or damage to property. Sadly, two of CapeNature’s field officers sustained serious burn injuries and remain in hospital for surgery and treatment. We wish them a speedy recovery and thank the healthcare staff attending to them. 

 

“It is through a combination of effective planning, trained firefighters and ground crews, well-maintained equipment and clear communication and excellent relationships with all role-players that we were able to successfully manage this fire,” stated Wayne Josias, Acting Chief Fire Officer of the CWDM. 

 

The incident command team consisted of members from Cape Winelands District Municipality and contracted ground teams, CapeNature and their teams, the Winelands Fire Protection Agency (FPA) and Stellenbosch Municipality. The team was supported by Western Cape Disaster Management, the City of Cape Town, Overberg Municipality, West Coast District Municipality and the SANDF. A special word of thanks is extended to the Volunteer Wildfire Services for the selfless assistance. 

 

The support of the residents of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch and further afield was overwhelming. The CWDM Fire Services, on behalf of all fire crews, offer our humble gratitude for each donation. 

 

 

Fast facts:

 

Date: Sunday 21 February in Overberg. Moved into CWDM space on Monday 22 February. Contained on 2 March.

 

Incident commanders: Wayne Josias; Jaco Thuynsma and Heinrich Louw

 

IMT: Fire Protection Association, CapeNature, Stellenbosch Municipality and local law enforcement, Provincial Disaster Management. 

 

Description of conditions: Vegetation: Dense, aged, mixed vegetation, fynbos and alien. Hot weather, with strong wind mostly from the south easterly direction

 

Response: CWDM, CapeNature, Stellenbosch, Overberg and West Coast municipalities, Provincial Disaster Management and SANDF, City of Cape Town. Purpose-built 4x4 Land Cruisers, major pumpers, firefighting vehicles, 2 Hueys, 1 Black Hawk and 1 Oryx. Ground teams: Cape Nature, CWDM and CoCT

 

Total area burnt: Around 14 000 hectare veld

 

Timeline: Teams worked on 24-hour rotations; operations continued throughout the night

 

Description of damage and any fatalities and/or injuries: No damage to infrastructure, a few singed vineyards, but no real damage; two field officers sustained second-degree burns and are being treated in hospital

 

Challenges faced: Heat exhaustion, rough terrain, succession of teams, fire loads, weather

 

Origin: Vyeboom farm, Overberg district

 

Heli drops: 

 

3 Huey’s – 556 loads = 554 680 litres in 59,5 hours

1 Black Hawk – 467 loads = 1 167 500 litres in 30,9 hours

[The Ouzo]

 

Saw this yesterday:

 

Cape Winelands District Municipality - Media Release -

Overview of the Stellenbosch Fire: 22 February – 3 March 2021

 

The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services and its partner CapeNature battled a fire in the mountains above Franschhoek and Stellenbosch for eight days. 

 

The fire was originally reported in the Overberg mountains on Sunday 21 February 2021. In the late afternoon of Monday 22 February, the fire crested the mountain peaks into the Banhoek Mountains outside Franschhoek and during the next few days it spread to the Berg River Dam area. The fire teams diverted the fire line away from the R45 and farmland on Thursday. Although the fire was around 68% contained by late night on Thursday, the combination of a change in the wind direction and intensity allowed the fire to crest the mountains and travel into the more populace Jonkershoek Valley. 

 

At this stage, the incident command activated Provincial Disaster Management, local law enforcement teams from Stellenbosch Municipality as well as the Disaster Management division of the CWDM. A public notice was issued to encourage residents to cooperate with authorities, should evacuation become necessary. 

 

Firefighting efforts were hampered by the dense smoke, which also prevented the deployment of aerial resources. 

The next two days, 26 and 27 February, proved to be the most challenging days of the battle. Fuelled by dense, aged, mixed vegetation and a stiff breeze, the flames quickly spread down the inhabited Jonkershoek Valley. All efforts were focused on diverting the fire line away from residential infrastructure. Late on Friday afternoon, the wind shifted slightly, allowing the deployment of aerial resources that immediately started water bombing the more inaccessible areas.

 

In the early hours of Saturday, a small group of families who reside in an informal settlement in the Jonkershoek Valley were relocated to a community hall. This decision was based on community safety protocols and was not a forced evacuation. The families were returned to their homes later the same day. 

The fire continued spreading from the Jonkershoek area across the mountains over Bothmaskop, following a path past Coetzenberg and into the Blaauwklippen area. The fire line ran virtually parallel to the Blaauwklippen road. 

At this stage of the firefighting operation there were 236 firefighters, groundcrews and team leaders distributed in various high-risk areas, supported by 13 CWDM, three CapeNature, six Stellenbosch Municipality and three West Coast District Municipality purpose-built fire vehicles. The aerial resources were made up of two Hueys of the CWDM/CapeNature, one Blackhawk of Provincial Disaster Management and an Oryx made available by the SANDF. 

 

Despite dire predictions of strong gales, the wind died completely in the late afternoon of Saturday and the teams made excellent progress during the cooler night hours. A flare-up occurred during the early evening in the previously contained Jonkershoek Valley, but was swiftly attended to by a combination of ground and aerial resources. 

 

By Sunday afternoon, many of the teams were able to stand down and return to their workstations. The wind stayed calm and unexpected light showers certainly aided dampening down efforts. The CWDM fire teams, contracted ground teams and the various teams from CapeNature continued with the management of flare-ups, monitoring and mopping-up operations for the next 48 hours. 

 

The fire was declared 99% contained on Tuesday 2 March, although a smouldering fire line in an inaccessible area of Banhoek kept two of CapeNature’s crews busy for a while longer as this fire line proved to be difficult to access. 

The CWDM Fire Services reported that the incredible team effort of dedicated firefighters and ground team members, and a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities resulted in no loss of life, livelihood or damage to property. Sadly, two of CapeNature’s field officers sustained serious burn injuries and remain in hospital for surgery and treatment. We wish them a speedy recovery and thank the healthcare staff attending to them. 

 

“It is through a combination of effective planning, trained firefighters and ground crews, well-maintained equipment and clear communication and excellent relationships with all role-players that we were able to successfully manage this fire,” stated Wayne Josias, Acting Chief Fire Officer of the CWDM. 

 

The incident command team consisted of members from Cape Winelands District Municipality and contracted ground teams, CapeNature and their teams, the Winelands Fire Protection Agency (FPA) and Stellenbosch Municipality. The team was supported by Western Cape Disaster Management, the City of Cape Town, Overberg Municipality, West Coast District Municipality and the SANDF. A special word of thanks is extended to the Volunteer Wildfire Services for the selfless assistance. 

 

The support of the residents of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch and further afield was overwhelming. The CWDM Fire Services, on behalf of all fire crews, offer our humble gratitude for each donation. 

 

 

Fast facts:

 

Date: Sunday 21 February in Overberg. Moved into CWDM space on Monday 22 February. Contained on 2 March.

 

Incident commanders: Wayne Josias; Jaco Thuynsma and Heinrich Louw

 

IMT: Fire Protection Association, CapeNature, Stellenbosch Municipality and local law enforcement, Provincial Disaster Management. 

 

Description of conditions: Vegetation: Dense, aged, mixed vegetation, fynbos and alien. Hot weather, with strong wind mostly from the south easterly direction

 

Response: CWDM, CapeNature, Stellenbosch, Overberg and West Coast municipalities, Provincial Disaster Management and SANDF, City of Cape Town. Purpose-built 4x4 Land Cruisers, major pumpers, firefighting vehicles, 2 Hueys, 1 Black Hawk and 1 Oryx. Ground teams: Cape Nature, CWDM and CoCT

 

Total area burnt: Around 14 000 hectare veld

 

Timeline: Teams worked on 24-hour rotations; operations continued throughout the night

 

Description of damage and any fatalities and/or injuries: No damage to infrastructure, a few singed vineyards, but no real damage; two field officers sustained second-degree burns and are being treated in hospital

 

Challenges faced: Heat exhaustion, rough terrain, succession of teams, fire loads, weather

 

Origin: Vyeboom farm, Overberg district

 

Heli drops: 

 

3 Huey’s – 556 loads = 554 680 litres in 59,5 hours

1 Black Hawk – 467 loads = 1 167 500 litres in 30,9 hours

 

amazing work by those involved.

[openmind]

Jonkershoek opens again tomorrow!! Whoop whoop!

 

Well done to all involved and thanks MTO!

[BobbyBehan]

Hello Everyone,

 

Herein a quick update on Jonkershoek. Not all, but many of the trails open tomorrow, Friday April 2nd. Please check MTO's social pages in order to see what trails are open and what trails are not. 

 

We have worked incredibly hard since the devastating fires across various facets:

• Accessing the damage
• Developing an action plan
• Raising money. We have successfully managed to sell branding rights on the trails thus creating an even more sustainable financial situation. We have also received donations from so many sources (thank you!).
• A massive thanks to IBEX Capital and Toyota who have joined the branding rights offering. If users can tag these companies in posts it would mean a lot. These funds have made a huge difference to our efforts. We, Specialized, remain super committal.
• Specific thanks to Somerset Timbers and Action Frames for always supporting us with timber and signage.
• Huge credit also to MTO who are moving the needle for all of us and our playground.
• With funds we have managed to get Bennet Nel and his team building at full capacity. We also got Jan van Schalkwyk and his machine into Jonkershoek for a specific piece of new trail. For those who enjoy Fire Hut instead of going up the fire road, ride backwards on the circle loop to Bosluis 1. Climb Bosluis 1 and you'll run into the new trail, Bosluis 2, which runs directly into Upper Fire, meaning you now have a great single track up and down.

The trail builders continue to press ahead opening the trails that remain closed. Please stay off closed trails. Where you once thought there were bridges there are not, there is also the potential for landslides. In short, these sections remain dangerous. Also, please stay away from the areas with burned trees for obvious reasons.

 

Here is a comprehensive document with more information (https://adobe.ly/2QRNQgQ) for those who wish to learn more.

 

HAPPY EASTER!

 

Bobby.

[capediver]

Hello Everyone,

 

Herein a quick update on Jonkershoek. Not all, but many of the trails open tomorrow, Friday April 2nd. Please check MTO's social pages in order to see what trails are open and what trails are not.

 

We have worked incredibly hard since the devastating fires across various facets:

• Accessing the damage
• Developing an action plan
• Raising money. We have successfully managed to sell branding rights on the trails thus creating an even more sustainable financial situation. We have also received donations from so many sources (thank you!).
• A massive thanks to IBEX Capital and Toyota who have joined the branding rights offering. If users can tag these companies in posts it would mean a lot. These funds have made a huge difference to our efforts. We, Specialized, remain super committal.
• Specific thanks to Somerset Timbers and Action Frames for always supporting us with timber and signage.
• Huge credit also to MTO who are moving the needle for all of us and our playground.
• With funds we have managed to get Bennet Nel and his team building at full capacity. We also got Jan van Schalkwyk and his machine into Jonkershoek for a specific piece of new trail. For those who enjoy Fire Hut instead of going up the fire road, ride backwards on the circle loop to Bosluis 1. Climb Bosluis 1 and you'll run into the new trail, Bosluis 2, which runs directly into Upper Fire, meaning you now have a great single track up and down.

The trail builders continue to press ahead opening the trails that remain closed. Please stay off closed trails. Where you once thought there were bridges there are not, there is also the potential for landslides. In short, these sections remain dangerous. Also, please stay away from the areas with burned trees for obvious reasons.

 

Here is a comprehensive document with more information (https://adobe.ly/2QRNQgQ) for those who wish to learn more.

 

HAPPY EASTER!

 

Bobby.

Awesome, well done sir and all others who assist....

[Grease_Monkey]

Hello Everyone,

 

Herein a quick update on Jonkershoek. Not all, but many of the trails open tomorrow, Friday April 2nd. Please check MTO's social pages in order to see what trails are open and what trails are not.

 

We have worked incredibly hard since the devastating fires across various facets:

• Accessing the damage
• Developing an action plan
• Raising money. We have successfully managed to sell branding rights on the trails thus creating an even more sustainable financial situation. We have also received donations from so many sources (thank you!).
• A massive thanks to IBEX Capital and Toyota who have joined the branding rights offering. If users can tag these companies in posts it would mean a lot. These funds have made a huge difference to our efforts. We, Specialized, remain super committal.
• Specific thanks to Somerset Timbers and Action Frames for always supporting us with timber and signage.
• Huge credit also to MTO who are moving the needle for all of us and our playground.
• With funds we have managed to get Bennet Nel and his team building at full capacity. We also got Jan van Schalkwyk and his machine into Jonkershoek for a specific piece of new trail. For those who enjoy Fire Hut instead of going up the fire road, ride backwards on the circle loop to Bosluis 1. Climb Bosluis 1 and you'll run into the new trail, Bosluis 2, which runs directly into Upper Fire, meaning you now have a great single track up and down.

The trail builders continue to press ahead opening the trails that remain closed. Please stay off closed trails. Where you once thought there were bridges there are not, there is also the potential for landslides. In short, these sections remain dangerous. Also, please stay away from the areas with burned trees for obvious reasons.

 

Here is a comprehensive document with more information (https://adobe.ly/2QRNQgQ) for those who wish to learn more.

 

HAPPY EASTER!

 

Bobby.

Lekker news! I would have been suspicious because of the date if this wasn't announced yesterday haha.

 

Thanks for the hard work to all involved - been missing Jonkershoek sorely these last few weeks!

[OVERDRIVE]

Hello Everyone,

 

Herein a quick update on Jonkershoek. Not all, but many of the trails open tomorrow, Friday April 2nd. Please check MTO's social pages in order to see what trails are open and what trails are not. 

 

We have worked incredibly hard since the devastating fires across various facets:

• Accessing the damage
• Developing an action plan
• Raising money. We have successfully managed to sell branding rights on the trails thus creating an even more sustainable financial situation. We have also received donations from so many sources (thank you!).
• A massive thanks to IBEX Capital and Toyota who have joined the branding rights offering. If users can tag these companies in posts it would mean a lot. These funds have made a huge difference to our efforts. We, Specialized, remain super committal.
• Specific thanks to Somerset Timbers and Action Frames for always supporting us with timber and signage.
• Huge credit also to MTO who are moving the needle for all of us and our playground.
• With funds we have managed to get Bennet Nel and his team building at full capacity. We also got Jan van Schalkwyk and his machine into Jonkershoek for a specific piece of new trail. For those who enjoy Fire Hut instead of going up the fire road, ride backwards on the circle loop to Bosluis 1. Climb Bosluis 1 and you'll run into the new trail, Bosluis 2, which runs directly into Upper Fire, meaning you now have a great single track up and down.

The trail builders continue to press ahead opening the trails that remain closed. Please stay off closed trails. Where you once thought there were bridges there are not, there is also the potential for landslides. In short, these sections remain dangerous. Also, please stay away from the areas with burned trees for obvious reasons.

 

Here is a comprehensive document with more information (https://adobe.ly/2QRNQgQ) for those who wish to learn more.

 

HAPPY EASTER!

 

Bobby.

Awesome stuff Bobby and team! 

 

We need more like you in the world. 

[stefmeister]

Hello Everyone,

 

Herein a quick update on Jonkershoek. Not all, but many of the trails open tomorrow, Friday April 2nd. Please check MTO's social pages in order to see what trails are open and what trails are not.

 

We have worked incredibly hard since the devastating fires across various facets:

• Accessing the damage
• Developing an action plan
• Raising money. We have successfully managed to sell branding rights on the trails thus creating an even more sustainable financial situation. We have also received donations from so many sources (thank you!).
• A massive thanks to IBEX Capital and Toyota who have joined the branding rights offering. If users can tag these companies in posts it would mean a lot. These funds have made a huge difference to our efforts. We, Specialized, remain super committal.
• Specific thanks to Somerset Timbers and Action Frames for always supporting us with timber and signage.
• Huge credit also to MTO who are moving the needle for all of us and our playground.
• With funds we have managed to get Bennet Nel and his team building at full capacity. We also got Jan van Schalkwyk and his machine into Jonkershoek for a specific piece of new trail. For those who enjoy Fire Hut instead of going up the fire road, ride backwards on the circle loop to Bosluis 1. Climb Bosluis 1 and you'll run into the new trail, Bosluis 2, which runs directly into Upper Fire, meaning you now have a great single track up and down.

The trail builders continue to press ahead opening the trails that remain closed. Please stay off closed trails. Where you once thought there were bridges there are not, there is also the potential for landslides. In short, these sections remain dangerous. Also, please stay away from the areas with burned trees for obvious reasons.

 

Here is a comprehensive document with more information (https://adobe.ly/2QRNQgQ) for those who wish to learn more.

 

HAPPY EASTER!

 

Bobby.

[Mike Mac]

Well done to all involved in getting these trails open. I hope to visit soon.

[aquaratza]

I visited Jonkershoek yesterday. Just wanted to say a big thanks to those who helped make the trails rideable again. I noticed lots of new bridges, lots of replaced signs, lots of trail maintenance. It was great to ride.

 

The area has quite clearly been burnt, but there are loads of signs of life. Lots of plants are pushing through the scorched ground. There are a lot of flowers out. I thought it might be a depressing visit but it felt good to see so much new life.

 

[RaymondC]

Opening weekend in Jonkers.

 

I rode half of Armageddon, really great to be back. 

Slow and cautious... 2nd run will be faster I promise. 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPrNv3BHNWQ

[ChrisF]

What do this area look like now ?

 

Some new plant growth ?