What’s that smoke in the air?
“Currently there are two major fires that have been burning for some time in the Drakensberg mountains. The smoke from these fires, along with localized fire smoke, is coming down the valley"
Have you noticed a smoky haze over Estcourt during the past two days? Wondered what was causing it?
READ: Be fire season-savvy and avoid disaster
Well, Umtshezi Fire Protection Association chairman Warren Blaker has also been receiving queries and took to the association’s Facebook page to explain the smoke.
“Currently there are two major fires that have been burning for some time in the Drakensberg mountains. The smoke from these fires, along with localized fire smoke, is coming down the valley. With the past couple of calm days and cold mornings, the smoke is trapped and we need a bit of wind to move it. Wind, unfortunately, will not assist the crews struggling to try contain these fires,” explained Mr Blaker.
In the satellite images below, red dots indicate high fire radiation levels and yellow the least.
He emphasised that the community should not start any unnecessary fires.
“Our warmer day time temperatures combined with low humidity and strong August winds create a dangerous fire hazard,” he said.
NOW READ: Frontline firefighting with the Umtshezi Fire Protection Association
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