Glencairn at Risk – Severe Fire Threat from Erf 1
Erf 1 consists of most of the land between the firebreak on the south side of the Glencairn valley and the top of mountain ridge. It stretches from the Southern Right Hotel almost as far as Welcome Glen. It is a huge neglected property that is highly overgrown with alien invasive vegetation such as Port Jacksons and Hakea. These plants burn with far greater intensity than the indigenous Cape fynbos. Sooner or later this huge fuel load of massed vegetation is going to be set on alight and a devastating wildfire will threaten many homes in Glencairn. If a strong wind is blowing it could rapidly spread into the suburb and destroy houses and threaten lives.
Glencairn Fire Watch has sent a registered a letter to the owner, Mr Kelly, with a copy to his local representative , requesting that a meeting is held with Glencairn residents to find a practical solution to this serious threat to life and property.
It is now over a month and the response so far has been NIL.
See copy of the letter attached below -
9 February 2011
Martin Kelly
Cape Town Coastal Properties Pty Ltd
32 Cockburn Close
Simon’s Town 7975
Dear Sir,
Concerns regarding Alien Vegetation Fire Hazard – Erf 1, Simon’s Town
I am writing to you on behalf of the Glencairn Fire Watch (GFW), a community committee mandated by the Simon’ Town Community Police Sector 1 Sub-Forum, which incorporates all the Neighbourhood Watches in the Greater Glencairn Valley. The GFW deals with all matters relating to fire risk in the Valley and is currently in the process of seeking formal Working on Fire, FireWise status for the Greater Glencairn Valley. Information on this initiative can be found on the web at http://www.firewisesa.org.za/firewise_communities.php.
We note with some concern that your property, Erf No 1, Simon’s Town, is heavily infested with mature alien invasive plant species, which form a considerable fire risk to suburban properties in the Glencairn valley. Such infestations are, as I am sure you are aware, in contravention of the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (CARA). We are also concerned with the management of this growth in terms of the National Veld and Forest Fire Act, firebreaks and fire management plans.
We, therefore, request a meeting with you or someone appointed to speak on your behalf, relatively urgently to discuss our concerns. The urgency stems from the fact that we are currently experiencing very dry and high wind summer conditions. These conditions lend themselves to high fire risk. In view of this urgency, we would like to request this meeting within the next two weeks and ask that you consider our request as soon as possible.
Assuring you of our desire for co-operation at all times,
Yours faithfully,
Clare Roy
Chairperson
Glencairn Fire Watch