Cape Winelands firefighters are still working to bring down fires raging in the Breed Valley and Witzenberg as strong winds fanned the flames.
Provided by/FPA, Dale Nortje
- The Breed Valley and Witzenberg fires continued to get out of control by Sunday afternoon.
- Firefighters have been battling a fire in Wolseley for six days.
- However, good progress was made in fighting another fire in Worcester.
Fires in Breed Valley and Witzenburg in the Cape Winelands region continued to grow “out of control” on Sunday afternoon.
This was announced by Cape Winelands Regional Municipality spokesperson Joanne Otto.
In an update on Sunday afternoon, Otto said: “Strong north-westerly winds that picked up around 3am made it difficult to extinguish the fire, and although there was some recovery in some areas, the situation intensified in others. “There is,” he said.
“The high fire danger index of the day influenced the behavior of the fire. This, combined with the abundance of fuel due to the combination of uneven terrain, inaccessibility, and aged fynbos and invasive vegetation, made containment difficult. became.”
Read | Cape Winelands Fire: Strong winds negate efforts and cause flare-ups
Otto said firefighting efforts would continue through the night.
There are currently about 10 ground crews and 18 fire engines, which means a total of about 158 people are battling the blaze.
rootcheskraal fire
Giving an update on the Kreizieskraal fire in Wolseley, which entered its sixth day on Sunday, Mr Otto said two fire lines were currently active: Bains Kloof and Ellansberg.
“Firefighting efforts have focused on structural protection, firefighting and extinguishing,” she said.
“The aim remains to maintain fire lines in mountainous areas above private farmland. Wind fanned fires have jumped roads in some places, but these are under control. ”
Otto said Sunday that they had achieved “some success in suppressing the Rutczeklar fire” by creating firebreaks and “protecting private structures and ecologically sensitive areas.” '' he added.
On the Eransburg side, Mr Otto said the winds continued to be in the fire department's favor and good progress was being made.
“Aviation resources were used to support progress and protect structures as needed,” she added.
worcester fire
A raging fire is in its second day in Worcester.
News24 previously reported that two houses and three cottages were destroyed despite the huge efforts of firefighters.
By Sunday afternoon, about 2,000 hectares had been burned, Otto said.
“These fire lines are making good progress and we have managed to prevent the fire from spreading to the blue gum plantation. However, teams will continue to actively fight the fire throughout the night.”