‘Classic, extreme fire conditions’ fuel Trompsburg inferno

The wildfire that raged near Trompsburg during midNovember was a classic example of extreme fire behaviour caused by weather conditions conducive to the development of fire that was exceedingly difficult to contain.

This was according to Johan Breytenbach, the general manager of the Free State Umbrella

Fire Protection Association.

He said temperatures in excess of 30°C, coupled with a wind speed of more than 20km/h and low humidity of below 15%, formed the ideal recipe for an extreme wildfire. These were the approximate conditions in the region at the time. The fire continued well into the Bethulie district.

“It was impossible to manage the inferno, which destroyed at least 12 000ha and 200 sheep. Some landowners lost up to 80% of grazing. We are still assessing the damage caused by the flames, and the origin of the fire,” Breytenbach said.

The highly combustible plant material added to the intensity of the blaze, while the situation was exacerbated by the slightly overcast weather, which resulted in unstable air that, with extremely high flame temperatures of over 120°C, created convection columns that sent the flames in various directions.

“Such a fire calls for highly sophisticated fire-fighting equipment that we don’t have in the Free State.

“The basic equipment that local fire protection associations had access to left them virtually helpless against the conflagration,” he said. – Annelie Coleman