Firefighters continue to battle a blaze near Drakenstein Prison on the R301, between Paarl and Franschhoek. The large veld fire started yesterday afternoon and is being fanned by very strong winds, high fuel loads from mixed alien vegetation, and uneven terrain. This has been severely hampering firefighting efforts.
Firefighters are continuing to battle a blaze in the area adjacent to Drakenstein Prison
Jo-Anne Otto from the Communications Department at Cape Winelands District Municipality says fire teams were successful in diverting the flames away from the prison grounds. At this stage, there is no threat to infrastructure.
She says one of the fire lines burning toward the N1 has burnt itself out in an area with no remaining fuel. Otto added that the line burning toward the river remains active. At this stage, fire teams are continuing with fire suppression efforts as access improves. Otto says crews from the Cape Winelands District and Drakenstein Municipalities are supported by six fire trucks on the scene.
