Cooler nighttime temperatures and a lack of wind resulted in better outcomes for the out-of-control fires that have been burning in the Cape Winelands over the past week.
Also read: Firefighters continue to battle uncontrolled blazes in the Cape Winelands
The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s (CWDM’s) Fire Services report that the two active fire lines in Bain’s Kloof/Slanghoek and Elandsberg are still ongoing.
Kluitjieskraal Fire, Wolseley
- Start date: 22 January, 3pm (Day 7)
- Area burned to date: 22 000 hectares
Bain’s Kloof and Slanghoek:
CWDM reports that good progress has been made as the fire lines have substantially slowed. Although concerns were raised at around 10pm when the fire line in Bain’s Kloof moved towards the structure in Steenbok Park, the wind died down and teams were able to divert the fire.
The fire line in this area is still active and is being closely monitored.
The fire on the Slanghoek side has also slowed down, enabling teams and landowners to create breaks to prevent the spread to vineyards and structures.
Although Bain’s Kloof Pass and Slanghoek Road are open, motorists are advised that they can be closed at any moment, and use of these roads is at their discretion.
Elandsberg, (Situated on the Voëlvlei dam side)
The wind died down and a successful backburn was initiated. Preventative action will continue today.
Fairy Glen, Worcester
- Start date: 26 January, 4pm (Day 3)
- Area burned: +- 2 000 hectares
Cooler weather aided firefighting activities on this side. The fire continues to burn on the west side in very inaccessible areas, although in a very broken line. On the right side, the fire line is not currently threatening any structures.
General:
The crew currently consists of 10 ground crews and 18 firefighting vehicles, bringing the total number of people to 158 (excluding administration).
CWDM Fire Services and their contracted ground teams, NCC and aerial support, and Leading Edge Aviation are being supported by the West Coast District, Swartland, Breede Valley, Drakenstein and Witzenberg Municipalities, CapeNature, Volunteer WildFire Services, Working on Fire, the Department of Fisheries, Forests and Environment, the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and the Fire Protection Association, who also form part of the Incident Command Post (ICP).
Also read:
Picture: Cape Winelands DM / Facebook