Franschhoek fire contained
2005-12-31 19:13
Cape Town - A veld fire in the mountainous terrain of Du Toit's Kloof, near Franschhoek was contained late on Saturday afternoon.
Working on Fire spokesperson Val Charlton said the five helicopters used during the day had stood down.
Working on Fire crews from the Eastern Cape earlier relieved exhausted fire fighters who battled to extinguish the fire under extremely difficult conditions.
"The terrain is mountainous and difficult to access," said Charlton.
About 180 fire fighters from Cape Nature, Working on Fire, Cape Winelands District and City of Cape Town, with emergency vehicles, were deployed across the area.
They would continue to mop up and deal with flare ups throughout the night on the Berg River, Du Toits Kloof and Wemmershoek flanks, Charlton said.
Two fire fighters were removed during the night from the fire front due to dehydration and exhaustion.
"Sixty fire fighters are resting and will resume duties tomorrow if required," she said.
There were no injuries reported in the blaze.
Charlton said the cost of the fire fighting and damage to property was difficult to estimate at this stage, but it was "very costly".
She said besides the damage to property and the cost to taxpayers and local authorities, the fire will also have an impact on the water catchment areas and land designated as protected areas.
Kleinmond fire under control
In excess of 12 000 hectares of fynbos had been destroyed in the fires raging in the Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Du Toit's Kloof areas.
In the Overberg a fire at Arabella Estate in Kleinmond was under control.
"The fire in the Caledon area has 'stood up'. Fire fighting units are on their way," said Charlton.
A fire reported at Slangkop on the Cape Peninsula on Saturday afternoon was rapidly contained by Table Mountain National Park and City of Cape Town fire fighters.
Meanwhile in the Southern Cape a fire at Kleinkrantz in Wilderness was under control and being monitored as was one at Kleinkruis in Riversdale.
Charlton said two further Working on Fire crews of 22 persons each were due to arrive on Sunday from Jansensville and Cullinan and would be placed on standby.
- SAPA