Ten major wildfires stretch Western Cape resources

FIREFIGHTERS have had their hands full with at least 10 major wildfires reported across the province over the last week, many of which have been contained due to efforts by fire and emergency services.

- THEOLIN TEMBO

By 1pm yesterday, firefighters were tackling a wildfire at the Swartberg Mountains, north of Oudemuragie, which, according to the Garden Route municipality, started late afternoon on Sunday.“CapeNature and Oudtshoorn Municipality Fire Brigade Services responded to this fire incident, and suppressed lower lying areas above the Oudemuragie farms. No infrastructure is impacted at the current time.

“Today's actions included the Garden Route District Municipality deploying a helicopter through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, as well as deploying a ground firefighting team. CapeNature has extended on the aerial resources,’ the municipality said.

“Crews were airlifted higher up the mountain to suppress accessible fire lines and to ensure that farming infrastructure to the north and northeast of the fire is protected”

Meanwhile, roads that were affected by the Pearly Beach and Stanford fires have been reopened. The Overstrand Municipality said that the fire in Pearly Beach has been contained for now, with there being no active fire line.