City alerts residents and visitors to extreme heat and high fire danger

By Khanyisa Tabata
19 November 2011

The South African Weather Service has issued a fire danger associated with extreme hot and uncomfortable conditions which are favourable for runaway fires for today.

A warning also been issued for gale force south early winds 65km per hour that are expected in places between Cape Point and Cape Agulhas.

The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre appeals to residents to drink enough water; stay in a cool place; cover your head; not throw cigarette butts out of motor vehicle windows that could lead to run-away fires and to not make fires that cannot be controlled.

Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Wilfred Solomons-Johannes says tourists visiting Cape Town that are not acclimatised to the heat, could suffer from swelling of their ankles, inflammation of the skin, sharp pains from water loss, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea and fainting.

“We are appealing to residents to drink enough water; stay in a cool place, cover their heads and not throw cigarette butts out of motor vehicle windows that could lead to run-away fires and to not make fires that cannot be controlled”, said Solomons-Johannes.

Any emergency and/or distress call can be reported to the 107 emergency numbers from a Telkom line. Cellphone users need to dial 021 480 7700. The sooner you phone, the sooner help will arrive.