An Analysis of Fires and Associated Weather Factors in Mountain Fynbos Areas of the South-Western Cape

SYNOPSIS All fires on land controlled by the Directorate of Forestry and Environmental Conservation in the Western Cape during the period 1 April 1978 to 31 March 1979 were recorded by means of a questionnaire survey. The survey was undertaken in order to obtain data on the fire regimes of the region. Fires were divided into three categories, namely wild-fires, prescribed burns and fire-break burns. Data on the age of the vegetation burnt, the causes, costs, duration, size and season of burn and associated weather factors are presented. The need for a reliable fire hazard prediction system as an aid to the practice of prescribed burning is identified.