Weather Alert: Damaging Winds – 25 September 2020

The Cape Town Weather Office has issued the following weather alert:

Hazard : Damaging Winds

Alert Level: Advisory

Valid From (SAST): 25/09/20 – 00h00

Valid To (SAST): 25/09/20 – 00h00

A strong north westerly to westerly winds (50 to 60km/h) are expected over the Central and Little Karoo District (Western Cape) on Friday (25/09/20200) late morning until early evening.

Description: Dangerous veld/bush fire conditions

Whenever there are prolonged periods of little and no rain coupled with warm dry winds, veldt or bush fires can easily be sparked and will spread rapidly in strong winds.

Precautions: Dangerous veld/bush fire conditions

Don’t make fires in the open and/or leave fires unattended. Don’t throw cigarette butts out of cars or in the open veldt. Don’t throw bottles in the veldt as they can magnify the sun’s rays and start fires. Prepare and maintain fire breaks in a controlled manner. In the case of a large fire report it immediately and move away from the area to let the professionals deal with it. Never throw water onto a fire started by an electrical fault or fires started by oil or paraffin lamps. In this case, sand or a blanket should be used to smother the fire. Listen to the radio or TV for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.

Contact the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at 044 805 5071 to report any severe weather related incidents.