Fire crews are in for another difficult day as the Wolseley fire, which started in the Kluitjieskraal area on Monday, continues to spread.
The fire which was raging in the Suurvlakte valley yesterday, but split into two lines, on the Wolseley side of the Obiqua Mountain (also known as the Watervalberg) and another on the Wellington side, yesterday afternoon as the wind changed direction.
The fire on Wolseley side in the Verrekyker area just above the Kluitjieskraal moved rapidly toward agricultural land containing a variety of structures, including formal and informal homes.
Many of the houses are surrounded by trees which complicates property protection. Despite concerted efforts, one home and a car were destroyed.
These photos, posted by a Facebook user Melody Le Roux-Du Preez, illustrates the devastating that has been caused. She says in her post her friends ”lost everything”.
Residents were evacuated as a precaution. Many of the houses are surrounded by trees which complicates property protection.
No other homes were lost and all residents have been able to return to their homes.
More than 40 other structures have been burnt down earlier in the week, although it is unclear whether these are formal or informal structures.
The fire is currently moving towards Bain’s Kloof.
The Cape Winelands District Municipality and partners have set up vehicles to do property protection.
Fire Services are also appealing to landowners to use this time to ensure that fire breaks are clear, as the fire will continue to burn toward Bain’s Kloof.
The second fire on the Saron side of the mountain is due to the cooler weather of the night, moving a little slower and has a broken fire line, however it is concerning as it is moving closer to the Elandsberg nature reserve which is an ecologically sensitive area.
Fire teams from Robertson and Stellenbosch as well as fresh ground crews from NCC will be added to the existing teams today.
The current fire season has been one of the worst on record, according to officials, with thousands of fires reported since the season began.
In December, a fire ravaged the Simons’ Town area.
Earlier this month, the City of Cape Town suspected arson, after fires were started close to water treatment plants.
In the Tygerberg Hills this week, a fire also raged close to homes, leading some residents to be evacuated. No damage to property was reported.
