Wildfire damages structures at University of Cape Town in South Africa

Two firefighters were seriously injured

Updated at 6 p.m. GMT April 18, 2021

3-D map of fire at TMNP
3-D map of the APPROXIMATE LOCATION of the fire at Table Mountain National Park and the Univ. of Cape Town in South Africa, 1:30 p.m. GMT April 18, 2021. Not to be used for planning or evacuation.

More than 200 firefighters supported by four helicopters battled a wildfire Sunday that was pushed by strong winds into the University of Cape Town. Several buildings, some historical, were damaged including the Jagger Library, which houses priceless African studies collections, unique manuscripts, and personal papers.

Other structures damaged were the Rhodes Memorial Restaurant and Mostert’s Mill, South Africa’s oldest working windmill built in 1796.

Helicopter drops water on wildfire and structure fire at University of Cape Town
Helicopter drops water on wildfire and structure fire at University of Cape Town, South Africa. MM LIve, April 18, 2021.

The wind pushed the fire across the M3 highway which connects downtown Cape Town to the southern suburbs.

Times Live reported that two firefighters were hospitalized with serious burns — one from the City of Cape Town and another from Working on Fire — according J.P. Smith, a Cape Town security official.

In a statement, Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) said initial investigations show that a fire suspected to have been left unattended by a vagrant is believed to have been the cause of the runaway blaze, which required the evacuation of hundreds of students from the University of Cape Town residences in Rosebank.

Map of the fire at TMNP and UCT in Cape Town
Map of the fire at TMNP and UCT in Cape Town, 1:30 p.m. GMT April 18, 2021. Wildfire Today & NASA.


Originally published at 11:16 a.m. GMT April 18, 2021

Map of the fire at TMNP and UCT in Cape Town
Map of the fire at TMNP and UCT in Cape Town, 1:06 p.m. GMT April 18, 2021. Wildfire Today & NASA.

A wildfire on the slopes above the University of Cape Town (UCT) in South Africa spread into the campus and Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) Sunday. The city government reports there has been significant damage to homes, a restaurant, and historical structures since the blaze started at about 8:45 a.m.

University students were ordered to evacuate as the fire spread quickly, pushed by strong winds.

Wildfire, University of Cape Town
Wildfire at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, April 18, 2021. Photo: City of Cape Town.

IOL reported that Working on Fire general manager Melany Duthie-Surtie said the Department of Forestry Fisheries and Environment, Working on Fire in the Western Cape, had dispatched 58 firefighters and four helicopters to assist the TMNP in the suppression effort.

Wildfire, University of Cape Town
Wildfire at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, April 18, 2021. Photo: City of Cape Town.

TMNP spokesperson Babalwa Dlangamandla said, “After the initial investigation, it is surmised that the origin of the fire is from a vacated vagrant fire.”

Executive Mayor Dan Plato noted that at least one firefighter was being treated in a hospital for burn injuries. Property has been damaged, including private homes, the Rhodes Memorial restaurant, UCT Library, and historical structures including the Mostert’s Hill windmill.

Wildfire, University of Cape Town
Wildfire at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, April 18, 2021. Photo: City of Cape Town.

Mayor Dan Plato visited the site to thank those involved in firefighting efforts.

“I wish to express our gratitude for the efforts of firefighters who have been working non-stop to bring this massive fire under control,” the Mayor said. “It is saddening to note that property and historic buildings have been damaged by this fire. It is tragic that literary treasures have been lost at the UCT library, but I have been informed that some of the most valuable works were saved by the quick activation of roller doors. Our attention and support remains with firefighters and all role players working to protect further loss of property.”

Wildfire, University of Cape Town
Wildfire at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, April 18, 2021. Photo: City of Cape Town.
Wildfire, University of Cape Town
Wildfire at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, April 18, 2021. Photo: City of Cape Town.

Updated: South Africa wildfire grows to more than 33,000 acres

13,600 hectares

Updated at 5:01 p.m. ET (United States) Feb. 27, 2021

South Africa Fire, Feb. 26, 2021
South Africa Fire, Feb. 26, 2021. Satellite photo. The red dots represent heat. NASA.

Over the last week the fire in the Western Cape of South Africa has grown to about 13,600 hectares (33,606 acres) as it now spreads into steep terrain that is difficult for firefighters to work in safely.

The fire is just southeast of Stellenbosch,  3.5 km southwest of Franschhoek, and 20 to 24 km east of Cape Town.

There is no additional information about the two firefighters that were injured except that their injuries were described as serious and at last report they are still in the hospital.

Map of a wildfire in South Africa Fire, Feb. 28, 2021. The large red area represents heat at the fire detected by NASA satellites.

From The South African:

[Fire officials] warned that soaring temperatures reaching into the high 30s, accompanied by strong winds expected [Sunday] afternoon, mean that firefighters have their work cut out for them today.

Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services spokesperson Jo Ann Otto said on Saturday evening that the fire in the valley below Jongkershoek is proving challenging to combat.

“The teams reported repeated flare-ups that were difficult to bring under control due to the hot weather.  The firefighters, ground crews, and vehicles will focus their attention on managing this fire during the relative cool of the night.  Active firefighting activities and management of flare-ups a will continue throughout the night,” she said.

South Africa Fire, February 26, 2021
South Africa Fire, February 26, 2021. Image by Wictory za.

Originally published at 4:55 p.m. ET (United States) Feb. 27, 2021

Fire South Africa Jonkershoek Valley Stellenbosch
Fire in South Africa, in the Jonkershoek Valley in Stellenbosch. Stellenbosch Municipality photo.

Two firefighters that were injured while working on a wildfire in South Africa have been transported to a hospital.

Over the last five days the fire has burned more than 8,000 hectares (19,000 acres) in the Jonkershoek Valley, 10km southeast of Stellenbosch.

Fire South Africa Jonkershoek Valley Stellenbosch
Fire in South Africa, in the Jonkershoek Valley in Stellenbosch. TOKARAestae photo.

“Further planning today includes the deployment of aerial resources to water bomb the higher peaks and hot spots,” said Jo-Anne Otto from the Cape Winelands District Municipality on February 27. “The dense smoke and high winds make flying very dangerous, which means that water bombing can only be implemented when there is good visibility and little wind.”

Stellenbosch Mayor Gesie van Deventer said,’’ Aerial support is deployed when visibility and winds allow for this.”

Four helicopters and two single engine air tankers have been dropping water or retardant when conditions permit.

Fire South Africa Jonkershoek Valley Stellenbosch
Fire in South Africa, in the Jonkershoek Valley in Stellenbosch. Stellenbosch Municipality photo.
Fire South Africa Jonkershoek Valley Stellenbosch
Fire in South Africa, in the Jonkershoek Valley in Stellenbosch.A day crew was relieved by two overnight crews. Photo credit- VWS Wildfire.

Working On Fire South Africa

Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Don.

Wildfire burns across Lion’s Head Mountain

wildfire lions head mountain
Wildfire on Lion’s Head Mountain near Cape Town, South Africa. Photo: EBU Social Newswire

A wildfire near Cape Town, South Africa spread across Signal Hill and Lion’s Head forcing a few residents to evacuate. It also burned portions of  Table Mountain National Park, damaging infrastructure which will require the popular tourist destination to remain closed until repairs can be made.

Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to MrCapt. Typos or errors, report them HERE.

Residents forced to evacuate near Garden Route Fire in South Africa

Fires in South Africa. Satellite image
Fires in South Africa. Satellite image from October 27, 2018. NASA.

Firefighters in South Africa have been busy for the last week battling large wildfires. A week ago a helicopter pilot was killed while working on one of the fires.

Below is an excerpt from an article in The South African, October 29, 2018.


A fierce Garden Route fire has engulfed part of the Outeniqua Mountain range near George, leading residents to evacuate homes and smallholdings.

The blaze, which began over the weekend, has been fanned by scorching temperatures and strong winds. George Municipality has initiated voluntary evacuation procedures for residents in the danger zone, which is currently regarded as the northern outskirts of the nearby town.

George fire causes panic as residents evacuate.

On Monday morning, George Municipality issued an evacuation warning for residents on the outskirts of town. Residents of Blanco Golden Valley and Stepaside were urged to vacate their homes as a precautionary measure.

The local traffic department and the South African Police Service (SAPS) are currently assisting residents in the area, ushering them to safety at the Town Hall. Residents of Heatherlands and Fernridge in George have also been urged to evacuate their properties and find shelter at the Blanco Community Hall.

Pilot killed while working on wildfire in South Africa

(This article first appeared on Fire Aviation)

Nico Heyns
Nico Heyns. Photo by Christopher Scott.

A helicopter pilot died in a crash October 23 while helping firefighters extinguish a wildfire in South Africa.

Nico Heyns, 65, was flying a Huey owned by Kishuga Aviation that was under contract to the firefighting agency Working On Fire.

The accident occurred the Vermaaklikheid area, about 40km from Riversdale, around 9:50 a.m.

Mr. Heyns was supposed to be off duty that day but interrupted his leave to help with the fire. The cause of the crash has not been determined.

Police spokesperson Captain Malcolm Pojie said, “Police had to arrange for the speedy removal of the body to save it from the fire that was engulfing the area.”

Mr. Heyns, a veteran pilot with more than 20 years experience, formerly owned Heyns Helicopter Service and was well known in the aviation community.

Our sincere condolences go out to his family, friends, and co-workers.

Firefighter in South Africa killed while battling wildfire

The firefighter was killed while working on a wildfire in the Simonsberg Mountain area

Makelepe Cedric Seokoma
Makelepe Cedric Seokoma

A firefighter in South Africa was killed  February 5 while working on a wildfire in South Africa. Makelepe Cedric Seokoma was a Base Manager for Working on Fire.

Mr. Seokoma passed away while working to contain a wildfire in the Simonsberg Mountain area near Klapmuts in the Western Cape.

Originally from the Limpopo Province, Mr. Seokoma leaves behind his wife and children. He started at Working on Fire in 2004 and moved up the ranks to the crew leader position, then Instructor. At the time of his untimely passing, he was the the Base Manager in the Western Cape.

The organization employs 5,000 young men and women trained as veld and wildland firefighters stationed in over 200 bases throughout South Africa.

On January 29 another firefighter in South Africa died while on duty. Candice (Ashley) Kruger was helping to suppress a wildfire on the lower slopes of Table Mountain when she collapsed and later passed away in a hospital. She was in her ninth year with the Fire and Rescue Service in Cape Town and was assigned to the Roeland Street Fire Station.