Fire on Suurvlakte, Silwerfontein side of Wolseley mountain continues to rage: Cape Winelands District Municipality
Warm temperatures and strong winds have been fuelling the fire, burning at least 6,000 hectares and destroying about 40 structures since it began on Monday.
Image of a fire raging on a mountain in Wolseley. Picture: Facebook/Cape Winelands DM
CAPE TOWN - The Cape Winelands District Municipality says a fire on the Suurvlakte and Silwerfontein side of the mountain above Wolseley continues to burn out of control.
The fire, which started on Monday, has been fuelled by warm temperatures and strong winds.
At least 6,000 hectares have been burnt and about 40 structures have been lost.
The Cape Winelands District Municipality's Jo-Anne Otto: "On the Suurvlakte/Silwerfontein side, some gains were made last night. However, the very high fuel load provided by aged vegetation consisting mostly of very large, established Bluegum trees, combined with changeable wind directions, uneven ground, and high nighttime temperatures greatly hampered firefighting activities."
Otto said ground teams would continue with monitoring and mopping-up operations on all previously burnt flat ground, especially in Kluitjieskraal.
Very hot weather conditions are expected to continue on Thursday, with at least 39 degrees celsius being predicted.