W Cape faces major fire risk
2008-12-05 14:13
Cape Town - The Western Cape faces a major wildfire risk this summer, Working on Fire (WoF) warned on Friday.
"The weather is expected to be exceptionally hot and dry. Heavier then average winter rain has stimulated plant growth, increasing fuel loads," the government-funded fire management organisation said in its December newsletter.
WoF provincial manager Pierre Combrinck said climate data showed the province was entering a five-year phase of longer, wetter winters and windier, drier summers.
"That means more wild fires. This season we expect the worst fires in January and February," he said
The newsletter quotes the SA Weather Service saying rain in the region is expected to taper off in December.
"After the rains, the weather is going to be hot and dry," it said.
- SAPA