It is fire season in the Western Cape and several flares fanned by strong winds were noted this weekend, keeping our local firefighters and emergency services on high alert. On Saturday afternoon, a fire broke out on Lions head, about 24 firefighters and 3 helicopters were dispatched to the scene. It was brought under control before causing too much damage.
On Sunday, another fire broke out along Orpen Road in Tokai, it was contained as well. More than 40 firefighters from the Department of Environmental Affairs Working on Fire (WOF) remain on scene to watch for flare ups.
WCape?Update #LionsHeadFire
Here’s a look at the ongoing Lions Head Fire. Aerial Resources has stood down, but crews remain on scene securing areas burnt
? Owen Katz
? @Sullphotography
➡️https://t.co/yf6wCOjKhV#SavingLives #ProtectingTheEnvironment pic.twitter.com/TqMMLQmC3C— Working on Fire (@wo_fire) December 16, 2017
According to a post on WOF: The fire started at about 11:30am this morning (yesterday) which saw numerous ground crews from Working on Fire, NCC Environmental Services, Volunteer Wildfire Services, and Enviro Wildfire Services working various lines. About 1 hectare of veld has burnt. Ground crew will continue with mop up operations throughout the course of the day.
In another incident, 500 people were left homeless when a fire broke out in the Chris Hani Park Informal Settlement at Nomzamo Strand on Saturday. The residents of the informal settlement received starter packs from the City of Cape Town to assist them in rebuilding their homes. It’s unclear how the fire was started, some residents claim it was caused by illegal electricity connections in the area.
500 people have been left homeless at Chris Hani Park informal settlements in Nomzamo Strand, one fire fighter was injured. Residents suspect the illegal connections as the cause of the fire pic.twitter.com/qTEWZs6wp2
— Veve (@LudidiVelani) December 16, 2017
Pictures: Twitter and Facebook
