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22 December 2023
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Boyden Observatory outside Bloemfontein nearly destroyed by veldfire
On Wednesday, 27 November 2023 the Boyden Observatory, 25 km North of Bloemfontein, was almost destroyed by a grass fire. This was the second fire within a period of four years. There is currently concern in the International Astronomy community about the safety of observatories. There are approximately 950 observatories in the world of which 350 is in the USA and only 17 in Africa. All observatories are built outside urban areas to minimise light and smoke pollution for optical telescopes and to reduce electronic disturbance on radio telescopes. Due to increase in the number and intensity of grass fires more observatories are destroyed by bush and grass fires. Various examples can be named such as Kitt Peak National Observatory in Southern Arizona, Dark Sky Observatory in Scotland and Mount Stromlo Observatory in Australia.
South Africa's largest telescopes at Sutherland Observatory have almost no vegetation which means that they are safe from fire destruction. The second largest Observatory Boyden is situated on a hill and is surrounded by dense shrubs and trees.
The two Boyden fires in 2019 and 2023 respectively followed the exact pattern of spread. Fires originated on extreme hot days in the midst of a heat wave at a distance of one kilometre from the Observatory. Strong winds cause the fire to spread to the hill in an ascending pattern to the top. Boyden's own firefigting team took position with 65mm hose connected to 3 hydrants and started to cool down the buildings with water. Mangaung Fire department activated 10 fire fighters and two fire engines as well as a WOF team consisting of 16 members. Approximately 20 farmers with 4x4 bakkies with skid units aided. In both instances the buildings were saved in the nick of time. All parties were extremely grateful for this as the telescopes, cameras, computers and other instrumentation in the buildings cannot be extinguished by applying water or dry power extinguishers. This would have complicated for the fire fighters enormously.
After the first fire, firebreaks were made but it proved to be insufficient. More aggressive removal of shrubs and trees will have to take place.
The Boyden fire team should be commented for their heroic efforts at both occasions. From a team of nine, five members boast PhD degrees. This proves that a fire fighter team can never be too qualified. One of these brave fire fighters was Professor Matie Hoffman well known for his contributions to the Radio RSG programme "Sterre en Planete"
Source: Braam van Zyl, Mangaung Fire Department
South Africa's largest telescopes at Sutherland Observatory have almost no vegetation which means that they are safe from fire destruction. The second largest Observatory Boyden is situated on a hill and is surrounded by dense shrubs and trees.
The two Boyden fires in 2019 and 2023 respectively followed the exact pattern of spread. Fires originated on extreme hot days in the midst of a heat wave at a distance of one kilometre from the Observatory. Strong winds cause the fire to spread to the hill in an ascending pattern to the top. Boyden's own firefigting team took position with 65mm hose connected to 3 hydrants and started to cool down the buildings with water. Mangaung Fire department activated 10 fire fighters and two fire engines as well as a WOF team consisting of 16 members. Approximately 20 farmers with 4x4 bakkies with skid units aided. In both instances the buildings were saved in the nick of time. All parties were extremely grateful for this as the telescopes, cameras, computers and other instrumentation in the buildings cannot be extinguished by applying water or dry power extinguishers. This would have complicated for the fire fighters enormously.
After the first fire, firebreaks were made but it proved to be insufficient. More aggressive removal of shrubs and trees will have to take place.
The Boyden fire team should be commented for their heroic efforts at both occasions. From a team of nine, five members boast PhD degrees. This proves that a fire fighter team can never be too qualified. One of these brave fire fighters was Professor Matie Hoffman well known for his contributions to the Radio RSG programme "Sterre en Planete"
Source: Braam van Zyl, Mangaung Fire Department
