Wolseley residents evacuated as fire rages; Tygerberg Hills fire contained

CAPE TOWN - It's been a difficult night for fire crews battling a blaze in Wolseley following a change in the wind direction late on Thursday.
 
The fire, that started on Monday, has been fueled by warm temperatures and strong winds this week.
 
Thousands of hectares have burnt and a number of structures have been lost. 
 
The fire, which was situated in the Suurvlakte area, split into two lines, one line on the Wolseley side of the Obiqua Mountain and another on the Wellington side.
 
The Cape Winelands District Municipality's Jo-Anne Otto: "The fire on Wolseley side in the Verrekyker area just above the Kluitjieskraal moved rapidly toward agricultural land containing a variety of structures, including formal and informal homes. Residents were evacuated as a precaution."
 
Otto said many of the houses are surrounded by trees which complicated efforts to protect property.
 
"Despite concerted efforts, one home and a car were destroyed. No other homes were lost and all residents have been able to return to their homes. This fireline has continued to run along the slopes of the mountain and is moving toward Bain’s Kloof."

Meanwhile, a fire that broke out along Tygerberg Hills on Thursday has been contained.
 
The City of Cape Town's Fire and Rescue Service's Jermaine Carelse said that massive strides were made by firefighters overnight.

"No property was affected by the fire. The cooler overcast conditions will aid in extinguishing the sporadic flare-ups and resources on-site will be scaled down as from 9am this morning."