FIRES
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Here in the Cape, fires can be a problem, and they are made worse by the south easterly wind that blows quite often. Most are caused by a carelessly thrown cigarette butt or match, and this ignites the dry bush. The fire is then fueled by the wind and spreads to other bushes, and in the end, it causes an extremely destructive bush blaze.

On Friday, 6 April, 2007, a controlled blaze at Cape Point was thrown out of control by the south-easterly wind, catching the staff off guard. The controlled fire was started on Tuesday. The fire destroyed more than 1 000 hectares of vegetation, and four fire-fighting helicopters worked on extinguishing the fire, helped by 70 firemen and volunteers. Lots of small animals, such as tortoises, were killed in the blaze, but a lucky few survived and it doesn't help that Cape Point is hard to protect against fires because of the changing winds. Many tortoises gathered on the road, hoping to stay safe from the fire, but some were very badly burned and wouldn't survive.

Many terrible fires occur in the Cape, and kill many animals and lots of plant life, but the flames very seldom reach houses and roads. When the Peninsula was ravaged by flames in 2000, lots of tortoises died and their charred remains lay in dust, showing just how much humans damage the earth. The big fire started in Red Hill and spread all over the Peninsula, presumably caused by a cigarette butt, lighter or match. We urge drivers not to throw cigarette buts out the car window. Please keep our country safe!!!