Publications
- Parts of the Matroosberg mountain near De Doorns is on fire.
- Officials have indicated that the fire has been contained in some areas.
- It is alleged that the fire started on Friday evening due to lightning strike.
The Cape Winelands District Municipality's (CWDM) Fire Services are attending to a fire in the Matroosberg mountain area in De Doorns that began on Friday evening, apparently following a lightning strike.
CWDM spokesperson Jo-Anne Otto said the fire is being attended to by resources from CWDM, CapeNature, Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS), and other contracted ground teams.
"On Sunday morning, the fire has been contained in some areas. Due to the lack of access to the terrain, fresh teams are being trooped in by helicopter this morning," added Otto.
Teams are being flown in by helicopter to the higher areas, which are
inaccessible by vehicle.
According to Otto, teams will focus on firefighting activities in active fire areas and mopping up operations in the areas where the fire has been contained.
"The vegetation is made up of mostly indigenous plants, interspersed with pines in the kloof. There is no threat to life and property at this time. No injuries have been reported," she said.
Rescue 'aircraft deployed'
Meanwhile, Wilderness Search and Rescue and Skymed rescued a 47-year-old man after he had broken his right ankle while hiking near Skeleton Gorge, above Kirstenbosch in Cape Town.
"The Department's Health AMS aircraft deployed a rescue climber and
medic to the scene. The patient was treated and moved to a more easily
accessible location, before being hoisted into the aircraft," said WSAR
spokesperson David Nel.
According to Nel, the patient was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital.
Never miss a story. Choose from our range of newsletters to get the news you want delivered straight to your inbox.
