Firefighters contain several Western Cape wildfires

CLOSELY MONITORED'

- THEOLIN TEMBO

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

As of 1pm yesterday, firefighters were still busy tackling the wildfire at the Swartberg Mountains, north of Oudemuragie, which, according to the Garden Route municipality, started late afternoon on January 11.

"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."