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The veld fire that has now spread to the Jonkershoek valley in Stellenbosch.
PHOTO: Cape Winelands Municipality / Facebook
- A fire in the Jonkershoek valley in Stellenbosch has spread throughout the mountains, despite a large crew fighting the blaze.
- Two members of the ground crew were injured.
- The fire started with strong winds earlier this week.
A fire in the Jonkershoek Valley in Stellenbosch has continued to spread across the mountains and into the Blaauwklippen area, the Cape Winelands district municipality said Saturday morning.
This was despite overnight efforts by a team of 236 firefighters with 24 vehicles to prevent the line of fire from reaching properties and homes.
Two members of the ground crew subcontracted by Cape Nature were injured and taken to hospital.
It said in an update:
The fire is being fueled by a combination of dense, mixed vegetation and strong wind. The ground equipment will be replaced by new equipment this morning.
“Additional planning includes the deployment of air resources to bombard the highest peaks and hotspots with water.”
Advised to consider leaving the area
Water bombardment would only be used when there was good visibility and little wind.
The municipality said there was no loss of life, livelihood or property, but some residents of an informal settlement were relocated to a community room in Cloetesville.
SEE: PHOTOS | Jonkershoek Valley Fire ‘Still Out of Control’
“This was not an evacuation, but rather a decision based on the best interests of the safety of the residents. The dense smoke and ash resulting from the fire is proving problematic for many.”
On Friday, the Western Cape Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC, Anton Bredell, advised the elderly, frail, young children and people with comorbidities, such as asthma, to consider leaving the area until conditions improve. .
“The total area that has been burned, including the Overberg side, is 8,250 hectares at lunchtime today. [on Friday],” he said.
