Two helicopters have been waterbombing a fire high above the mountains in Pringle Bay this morning, one of many fires keeping fire crews busy across the province. It has been burning out of control since yesterday. Another blaze is out of control at Buffelsjagsbaai.
Two helicopters are waterbombing a fire
Four homes were destroyed in the fire yesterday in that region (in the Sea Farms area on the Betty’s Bay side). Meanwhile, fire crews from the Overberg district and Overstrand municipalities remain on the scene fighting the flames. At Hangklip, mopping up operations continue.
READ MORE: Fire in Kluitjieskraal
At the same time, Premier Alan Winde says for January alone, the tally of fires across the province is nearing the 4 000 mark.
He yesterday visited the Wolseley area to get an update on efforts to contain the blaze that started there 9 days ago. It is still burning in the Bain’s Kloof area.
Blaze in Bain’s Kloof
Firefighters have so far been unsuccessful in containing it. This is due to several factors, including strong winds and the dry and hot conditions. The premier has appealed to all residents to work together to prevent any other fires.
The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Jo-Anne Otto says firefighters working on the Bain’s Kloof and the Elandsberg fires have reported that the rain that fell late last night was not enough to penetrate the active fire lines.
She says although the rain brought some relief via the cooler conditions, it’s expected to burn away quickly in today’s heat. Four properties were yesterday left in ruins at Steenbok Park on the mountain in this area.
Since the fire broke out in Kluitjieskraal last Monday, about 48 structures, both formal and informal have been lost.
PICS: Property destroyed as fire rages on in Wolseley
Flames in Cape Town
In the Mother City, hundreds of people were left homeless yesterday, when numerous fires engulfed dozens of homes. The fires wreaked havoc in the Overcome Heights, Masiphumelele and Broadlands informal settlements. More than 250 people lost all their belongings.
The mayor of the Overstrand Municipality, Annelie Rabie says 4 buildings were destroyed in a fire at Seafarms in the Overstrand. A chalet at the Hangklip Hotel was also damaged by the flames. In addition to that, there are about 6 or 7 other buildings, which also suffered partial damage, either being fire or water damage. Helicopters are still waterbombing the flames in this area.
Fire in Hangklip
The City of Cape Town has also this morning announced that some of its fire crews assisted in Hangklip yesterday after the fire broke out near the Hangklip Hotel. A chalet was damaged there, but the Hotel is still standing.
