Zandvlei Trust
Muizenberg burns on 17th December 2011.
One suspects an arsonist set the mountain alight
around midday on the 17th December. Fortunately the wind was not howling from
the south east direction, but it did pick up around that time. The situation
could have been a lot worse.
The last time the mountain burnt very badly was 2005 and before that 2000.
photograph by Richard Jordi.
Boyes Drive was closed to traffic for the duration, as visibility was nil in the area, and operating space was required for the fire engines and personnel.
photograph by Richard Jordi.
The Working for Fire helicoptors from the Newlands base
arrived quickly, along with the fire department personnel and other disaster
crews and management support.
The Huey filling the
bambi bucket in Zandvlei.
photograph by Richard Jordi.
......and off to the fire.
photograph by Richard Jordi.
The second Huey filled up and is making its way towards the mountain.
photograph by Richard Jordi.
Empty bucket and going back to the vlei to fill up.
photograph by Richard Jordi.
Dropping a load on the higher slopes. It requires exceptional skill and training to fly into blinding smoke and towards a steep mountain slope, with up and down draught winds effecting the flying work area.
Well done to the chopper pilots and crew, the support guys and girls. Also a big thank you to the fire fighters up the slopes and those "manning" the hoses and beating the flames. You saved the day.
photograph by Tim Irvine.
An "Open Day" at the Newlands base on 03/12/2011.
photograph by Tim Irvine.
The bambi bucket being demonstrated.
photograph by
Alan Roy.
One of the 2 helicoptors which came to Muizenberg with its bambi bucket. These photos were taken in the morning on 17/12/2011.
photograph by
Alan Roy.
....and the other one.
Alan Roy is a member of the Volunteer Wildfire Services www.vws.co.za
and one of the teams at the fire.
