The devastating Overberg fire, which has been spreading over the R44 Koggelbaai and Steenbras Dam areas since it first flared up on December 31, has largely been contained. This is according to the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson, who also added that only a few hotspots still remain.
“Still no structural damage or injuries reported,” Layne said, referring to the fire plaguing the Steenbras Dam catchment area.
The R44 will remain closed to traffic, but will be evaluated during the day to determine whether it will be reopened.
Helicopters were used to water-bomb areas that were inaccessible to crews on the ground, but at the time, strong winds hampered these efforts.
A 34-year-old man who is alleged to have started the wildfire near Betty’s Bay is expected to apply for bail next week. He allegedly shot a signal flare into the air, which was carried by a southerly wind into a fynbos bush on a mountain slope behind his home, igniting the massive blaze.
The man is facing charges under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act for causing a fire as well as discarding a burning object in a place where it could start a fire, as well as acting in a manner likely to cause a fire.
Picture: Supplied
