All fires in the KNP and Lowveld now contained
The sun was barely visible this morning because of thick clouds of smoke that hung over the Lowveld due to numerous runaway veld fires. However, a few hard-prayed-for drops of rain started to fall this morning, offering a slight reprieve to firefighters.
MBOMBELA – Following the raging fires in the Kruger National Park (KNP) that lasted for over a week, South African National Parks (SANParks) confirms that all four fires are now contained.
The sun was barely visible this morning because of thick clouds of smoke that hung over the Lowveld due to numerous runaway veld fires. However, a few hard-prayed-for drops of rain and a sudden temperature-drop was welcomed by firefighters.
The mercury is expected to drop one last time this weekend before summer arrives in full force. “This gives us time to catch a breath, as the cold weather will reduce the intensity of these fires, which will make it easier to nip them in the bud,” says Mr Martin Bolton, provincial manager of Working on Fire (WoF). “We are hoping for rain to accompany the cooler weather, which will increase the humidity and help us to get the fires under control.”
According to the South African Weather Services, the Lowveld will experience a significant drop in temperature this weekend. “We expect the temperature to drop by 8- to 9°C as the weekend approaches. We expect some scattered rain today, with cloudy conditions tomorrow. The humidity will increase to 60 per cent and reach a high of 80 per cent tonight and over the course of the weekend, with wind speeds between 10 to 15km/h.”
According to Mr William Mabasa, KNP’s general manager of communications and marketing, all fires are now fully contained. “The Phabeni Gate had to be closed due to fire, but was recently brought into control. The worst fire in the northern part was near Olifants Rest Camp and was also contained earlier today. “One of the four fires originated in the park at Skukuza, one came from Mozambique’s side and two started at in the Phabeni region. No structural damage was done,” says Mabasa.
“At the moment, heavy smoke is causing an inconvenience in the park, but should clear up by Sunday. No KNP personnel or firefighters were injured in the process of putting out the fires. All camps are still open,” says Mabasa.
“On behalf of the KNP, I would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and job well done.”
Earlier today, Mr André Scheepers, manager of the Lowveld and Escarpment Fire Protection Association (Lefpa), also confirmed that that all fires in the Lowveld are contained.
