Fires in South Africa
From AllAfrica.com
…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.
Red Flag warning in southern California
Another red flag warning is is effect for Los Angeles and Ventura counties until 4 p.m. today. Forecasters expect winds up to 70 mph, very low humidity, and temperatures of 80-90 degrees.
Looters target burned home
Two people were arrested Monday for stealing copper pipes from a home that burned in the recent fire in Yorba Linda, California. Gwendolyn Smith, 36, and Elisha Haas, 19, were booked for investigation of possession of stolen property. This is the first time we have heard of someone looting a burned home.
