August through to October is normally a period of strong winds in the Drakensberg. This is accompanied by many fires, which are fuelled by the wind and the dryness. A major fire broke out at Cathedral Peak on Wednesday.

Breaking out around 2am on September 2nd, it was finally extinguished after 21 hours. The winds were allegedly gusting at 120 kilometres per hour. No one was injured in the fire, though two British tourists were evacuated as a precaution. Read the IOL article here.

NASA’s satellite images reveal very smoky conditions over the Drakensberg on Wednesday afternoon.

KZN Wildlife’s precaution against fires as listed on their website is as follows:
If you see a fire approaching you, ACT IMMEDIATELY. Either seek out fire refugia- rivers, forests or valley floors OR light the grass at 90 degrees to the wind direction and then stand in the burnt area. FIRE BURNS VERY FAST UP A SLOPE. If you are on a flat area or at the top of a ridge, run through the fire at 90 degrees to the flames. Cover yourself with a jacket, hold your breath or breathe through your clothing and run.

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