23
July, 2012
July 23, 2012 – MANILA – Two people were killed and six others are missing in the Philippines as floods inundated parts of Manila and nearby areas while a storm tore through the country’s north, authorities said on Saturday. The civil defense office said rescuers are on standby to help residents evacuate if necessary as creeks and open sewers in the capital overflowed from overnight rains, swamping nearby slums and causing traffic jams. The rains began to ease by midday after plunging some areas in knee-deep waters, but civil defense chief Benito Ramos said he could not rule out further flooding as runoff from nearby mountains descends into Manila Bay. “All that rain up there would eventually find their way here,” he told AFP, referring to the mountains to the east of Manila.
–Strait Times
Wildfire on the rampage in southern Ontario
July
23, 2012
July
23, 2012 – CANADA – A
wildfire raging at CFB Petawawa is not spreading into neighboring
Algonquin Park, but officials Sunday feared that could change if the
weather deteriorates. Overcast skies over the region were a sign that
things could get worse for firefighters battling the blaze, which has
burned up 210 hectares since Thursday in the far western reaches of
the base’s training area. Environment Canada has forecasted a 60%
chance of showers with the risk of a thunderstorm in the evening.
Those storms might generate lightening strikes that could spawn more
fires in the area. A second fire on the base, which was discovered
Saturday, has grown to five hectares, base officials confirmed
Sunday. “The fire is not considered under control but is growing
slowly at this time,” said Capt. Sally Ann Cyr, public affairs
officer for 2 Canadian Me
chanized
Brigade Group. The main fire was largely contained within a perimeter
established by firefighters with the Department of National Defense
assisted by heavy equipment operators from 2 Combat Engineer, who
used bulldozers to dig out fire lanes to contain the flames. The
ministry of natural resources (MNR) also confirmed that the fire is
situated south of Montgomery Lake, the site of an abandoned boy scout
camp, and remains 100 metres from the Algonquin Park boundary. The
area has largely been clear cut over the years so that the military
could construct a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in order to train
soldiers for overseas missions. “We’re in an extreme fire
response situation,” MNR spokesman Doug Skeggs said. The fire is
still classified as “not under control” due to the ever-changing
wind and weather conditions. The possibility of thunderstorms is
causing great concern for firefighters, he added. “There’s not a
great deal of rain associated with those storms,” he said. “So we
are looking at the potential for thunder strikes and new (fire)
outbreaks.” A fire behaviour expert with the MNR is on the scene
assisting the base fire department with developing fire suppression
strategies, while the ministry continues to fly in helicopters to
dump water on the flames. Meanwhile, the evacuation of five campsites
inside the park is complete. Park wardens ordered up to 400 people to
leave the area on Friday night.
–Sun News
Wildfires
caused by arson halt wildebeest migration in Kenya
A
diplomatic row is simmering after Tanzanians living around the
Serengeti Game Reserve allegedly set the area on fire to block the
wildebeest migration.
23
July, 2012
The
infernos that have lasted for two weeks have delayed hundreds of
wildebeest from Serengeti plains gathered on the Mara River ready to
cross into Kenya.
Hundred
of acres of the reserve in Northern Tanzania along the migratory
routes are still on fire and have pushed back wildlife.
The
spectacular Mara River wildebeest crossing is expected to kick off
the annual tourism peak season in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve.
Narok
County Council, the custodians of the reserve, have appealed to the
Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Tourism to hold talks with
respective ministries in Tanzania to solve the standoff.
The
reserve’s chief warden, Mr Michael Ole Koikai, said tourists who
started arriving last week have pitched camp along the banks of the
river to watch the migration which has been delayed by the fires.
Mr
Koikai said the animals attempted to cross twice but could not access
the river.
“Many
of these tourists are forced to pay more than they had planned
because of this delay, since they don’t want to leave before
experiencing the spectacular 7th wonder of the world,” said Mr
Koikai.
Stakeholders,
who are already afraid of losing revenue, have joined the call asking
the government to intervene.
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