The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services have just reported that they are still putting out a fire that started in Worcester four days ago.
A blaze that started from an unmaintained stretch of land adjacent to the Villiersdorp road, was fuelled by dense vegetation.
The wind has also made it challenging for the firefighters with the breeze blowing the fire in various directions, however, the teams have been working tirelessly day and night.
According to Cape Winelands DM, there have been a few close calls with the fire nearly affecting residents.
“The fire line jumped the road and burned towards a collection of houses situated in a bluegum plantation close to the Kwaggaskloof Dam. Due to quick reaction from the teams managed to contain that fire and no losses occurred.”
“The fire line closer to the river continued to burn toward the river and low water bridge on the Eilandia road. The fire is extremely wide and there is no one point at which the teams can gain entry. During the night the teams used techniques that included trench digging and guided backburning to prevent the fire from jumping across the river where there are numerous farms.”
NCC ground teams from the Stem-in-die-Bos division, six vehicles and additional crew members are currently working to put out the fire.
Cape Winelands District Municipality firefighters responded to a fire alarm around 6pm this evening 6 December 2022.
The raging fire has been reported to be uncontrollable.
According to News24, Media, Communications and Municipality spokesperson Jo-Anne Ott said “Firefighters from surrounding municipalities were also deployed to extinguish the raging blaze.”
“There are currently seven fire-fighting vehicles which were deployed from the municipality’s other fire fighting stations and three ground crews on scene.”
“The aerial support and two vehicles from Stellenbosch fire station are en route. The choppers will fly until nightfall, and ground teams, fire vehicles, and personnel will stay on the scene.”
More updates to follow.
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