Fires over the south-western parts of South Africa
12 February 2015 12:00 UTC
Many runaway/out of control fires over the south-western parts of South Africa occurred in February and March 2015
29 September 2022
12 February 2015
By Lee-ann Simpson (SAWS)
The fires were due to very dry vegetation and fresh winds which can become gusty during this time of year. The south-western part of South Africa is a winter rainfall region, and leading up to the southern Hemispheric winter, this area is exceptionally dry with vegetation that burn easily and quickly.
As can be seen in Figure 1 of the Day Microphysics RGB, valid for 12 February 2015 12:00 UTC, there are bright pixels found in the area, encircled in red, near the town of Oudtshoorn. These are the fires which raged over that area from the 9–12 February 2015.
One of the reasons that a fire can get out of control is when the wind blows stronger than 10kts. In South Africa it is not advised to start any fires for controlled burning, or otherwise, with winds greater that 10kts. The approaching cold front which is seen to the west of South Africa in the image, contributes to tighter pressure gradients and, hence, stronger winds over the interior of South Africa.
