The City of Cape Town and its residents rightfully honoured the Cape’s Fire-fighters and Rescue workers on International Fire-fighters Day, May 2 2015 at Zandvlei recreational area.
This event marked a special occasion for the Capes fire-fighters especially after they laid their lives on the line battling some of the worst fires in the Cape’s history this summer.
Cape Fire burns on the Southern slopes of the Cape mountain range. Pic Jacques Unshakable West
This summer season fires razed over 300 000 hectares with fires in more than 300 locations across the Western Cape.
Not too long ago we witnessed the fire-fighters battling one of Cape Town’s biggest fires first hand as the flames swept from Muizenberg across Ou Kaapse Weg through Silvermine and Tokai Forest’s to Constantia and Hout Bay.
For days our braves fire-fighters and rescue services battled the blaze, just when they doused this fire they were called out to battle a fire high in the mountains of Bains Kloof.
Fire-fighting services vehicles on display Zandvlei recreational park in Muizenberg pic: Working on Fire
A dry summer with hot and windy conditions created high fire danger conditions.
In the face of their best efforts a number of fighters lost their lives, a reminder of the dangerous conditions under which our fire-fighters operate.
The people of Cape Town came out in their numbers to celebrate International Fire-fighters Day and to personally thank their heroes for keeping them safe.
The event started with a cavalcade of fire-fighting services vehicles leaving from the Roeland Street Fire Station travelling to Zandvlei recreational park in Muizenberg.
After a remembrance service to honour the fallen fire-fighters, rescue workers and fire-fighters put on a display to showcase their skills and vehicles.
The event ended with a ceremony awarding the top achievers in Cape Town’s Fire Services.
The International Fire-fighters Day is celebrated annually since 1999 among the fire-fighting community to commemorate the efforts of these brave men and women’s commitment and dedication to their work and to remember the sacrifices of those who lost their lives answering the call of duty.
St Florian’s Day is celebrated as a ‘Day of Service’ on the 4th day of May.
St Florian, the patron saint of fire-fighters. He was the commander of a fire-fighting squad in the Roman Empire and lost his life in fire-fighting service to the public.
Cape Fire burns on the Southern slopes of the Cape mountain range. Pic Jacques Unshakable West
Its day three and still they persevere, the Cape fire-fighters have been battling a blaze that started in Muizenberg and traversed the mountain across Silvermine Reserve and Ou Kaapse Weg to Hout Bay, Chapmans Peak along the spine of the Table Mountain Nature reserve to Tokai Forest.
The fire above Noordhoek
Reports suggest that if this fire runs its current course the forest range in Silvermine and Tokai will be completely devastated before the flames are doused. Residents in Monkey Valley, Noordhoek and Tokai were evacuated from their homes yesterday as the fire services battled the blaze, five homes were destroyed by the blaze in Noordhoek.
Firefighters battling the blaze
Inaccessible mountainous terrain have made the task of fighting this fire even more difficult as hot dry summers and wind is assisting this fire to spread across much of the South Western Cape mountain range.
Relays of firefighting helicopters have been on duty since Sunday – pic Greg Hillyard
Relays of firefighting helicopters have been on duty since Sunday, as well as local fire fighters and volunteers from Working on Fire (WOF) and the Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) based at Newlands Forest have been battling this huge blaze. Fire fighters have been flown in from as far as the Eastern Cape to assist local fire fighters. Members of the public have supplemented their ranks joining in the fight to control the blaze.
News just in, Pick n Pay branches across the City have donated a number of necessities for those fighting the blaze, with donations of water, rehydrate, sunscreen, lip-ice, hand-wipes, talcum powder, sunscreen, savlon cream, eye-drops, energy bars, citrus soda and food parcels.
Donations at the Lakeside Fire Station – pic Janine Nagel
The Western Cape Government, Disaster Management, Fire Rescue Services, Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) and Working on Fire (WOF) are however working around the clock to bring this mountain fire under control.
The Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) have been combating dangerous and often deadly runaway fires since the devastating fires in 1999 / 2000 in Cape Town.
The general public however should note that unless they can assist, to stay off the roads in and around the fire zone to ensure that the fire fighters can work unhindered by spectators hoping to catch a closer view of the fire.
The danger is apparent as this fire has already jumped gullies and roads; spreading in all directions, fanned by the wind.
We, the residents of Cape Town appreciate the efforts of all the fire fighters, volunteers, people who have donated goods and those who have set-up refreshment stations at various points along the mountain.
Note: The Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) have been combating dangerous and often deadly runaway fires since the devastating fires in 1999 / 2000 in Cape Town.
The VWS has 180 members at three stations (Newlands, Jonkershoek and the newly developing South Peninsula Station), and working closely with other emergency service organisations in wild-land fire management such as Table Mountain National Park, Cape Nature, Cape Town Fire & Emergency Services, Disaster Management, Winelands Fire Brigade, Stellenbosch Fire Brigade and Working on Fire has meant that the VWS has, to date, achieved over 39,000 active firefighting hours between its members and stations.
eaSummertime in Cape Town is an ideal time for a number of outdoor activities, one such activity is a favourite for a number of Capetonians hoping to enjoy the fine summer days and dusky evenings.
Spier picnic basket
I know a number of you would be thinking going to the beach, spending time with the family at the movies or even hosting a family braai (barbecue), but it’s neither of these… it is however, a picnic.
A picnic in any of Cape Town’s scenic spots is a firm favourite for locals and tourists alike, fine weather and great views make for a fine outdoor activity.
The humble picnic allows you to fill your basket with food to suit any occasion; salads, cold cuts, yoghurt, fruit, crackers, pate’s, breads, jams, cheeses, fruit kebabs, chocolate, champagne and orange juice make for a perfect picnic meal.
Whether it’s a morning breakfast picnic at one of the many nature reserves that ring the Cape, an afternoon picnic at a local wine estate or an evening sunset picnic on the western side of Table Mountain, Cape Town has a picnic venue for e very occasion.
Beach Picnics
Top picnic spots in Cape Town include; Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Table Mountain, Lions Head, Tokai Forest, Silvermine Nature Reserve, Paarl Mountain, Zeekoevlei, Wynberg Park, Zandvlei, Signal Hill and Green Point Urban Park.
Beaches famous for sunset picnics include Oudekraal, Sea Point, Camps Bay, Clifton Beach and Blouberg beaches.
Sunset from Signal Hill
Many wine farms around the Cape like Groot Constantia and Buitenverwachting in Constantia, Boschendal Wine Estate between Franschoek and Stellenbosch, as well as Blaauwklippen and Spier in Stellenbosch offer great options for a picnic.
No matter what your picnic option, Cape Town has a venue for every picnic occasion so grab the picnic basket, fill it with tasty goodies and head for your picnic spot of choice.
Please note: – No alcoholic beverages are allowed on Cape Town’s beaches.
Top Tips to make your picnic hassle free:
Pick your spot to ensure your picnic can be accessible and safe especially at night.
Keep it simple.
Pack only the food you will eat, ensure that allergies are noted.
Pack the essentials.
Make sure you’re fully equipped for your adventure.
Here’s a list of essentials for your outdoor excursion:
Picnic basket and/or cooler box
Bottled water (freeze overnight and use as an ice pack)
Outdoor dinnerware, plates, cups, cutlery
Napkins
Corkscrew and/or bottle opener
Tablecloth and/or a picnic blanket
Sunscreen
Bug spray
citronella candles or battery powered lamps
Warm clothing should the weather take a turn for the worst
Make sure someone knows where you are going
Ensure that your mobile phone battery is fully charged and that there is mobile phone reception
Avoid any risk of food poisoning
Avoid ice cream as it will melt before you reach your picnic spot
Avoid sticky puddings, and sweet cakes as they attract insects
Trash bags.
Make sure you leave only your footprints at the picnic spot.
Cape Town in Colour promotes the Mother City, its people, art, culture, events, music and cuisine.
Cape Town in Colour 