Fire Report

Fire Report

Kogelberg/Gordons Bay December 2008

Location

Land Cover

Fire Danger: Vegetation Conditions (Live)

Dat

eJu

n-03

Aug

-03

Sep

-03

Nov

-03

Jan-

04Fe

b-04

Apr

-04

Jun-

04Ju

l-04

Sep

-04

Nov

-04

Dec

-04

Feb-

05A

pr-0

5M

ay-0

5Ju

l-05

Sep

-05

Oct

-05

Dec

-05

Feb-

06M

ar-0

6M

ay-0

6Ju

l-06

Aug

-06

Oct

-06

Dec

-06

Jan-

07M

ar-0

7M

ay-0

7Ju

n-07

Aug

-07

Oct

-07

Nov

-07

Jan-

08M

ar-0

8A

pr-0

8Ju

n-08

Aug

-08

Sep

-08

Nov

-08

Jan-

09Fe

b-09

Apr

-09

Jun-

09

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Average Rainfall (May 2003-June 2009)

Average Ra...

Date

Rai

nfal

l (m

m)

Fire Danger: Vegetation Conditions (dry)

Roy BA

Fire Danger: Atmospheric Conditions

MODIS Active Fire

Integrated Fire Map

Conclusions

Pre-fire conditions perfect for an infernoHigh rainfall = vegetation build upNo fires for at least 8 yearsTerrain great for fires – sparse agriculture surrounded by

mountains with shrubland vegetationExtremely dangerous conditions just before firePossible spottingFire rushed up side of mountain fuelled by South-Easter

Houses burnt downAgricultural fieldsVast tract of protected area burnt prematurelyCape Nature Started fire to eradicate alien timber plantations?