Firefighters are still struggling to extinguish a fire that broke out at the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve on Wednesday afternoon, as hot conditions and strong winds hamper their efforts.
‘The fire is not under control. It started yesterday at about 2.40pm and burned through the night. We are working hard to put it out but the weather is against us,†deputy chief fire officer Wayne Josias from the Cape Winelands fire services told the Mail & Guardian Online on Thursday.
He said four helicopters, five fire engines and 40 firefighters have been deployed to bring the fire, which is being fanned by a strong southeaster, under control.
Damages
About 1 500 hectares of land has been burnt, most of which is fynbos.
‘A lot of young veld has been damaged, which is a very big ecological problem,†Patrick Shone, the manager of the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, said from the scene of the fire.
Two thatched roof houses have been damaged by the blaze and no injuries have been reported.
‘Although the fire is burning strongly, there is no immediate danger to property or life,†said Josias.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated. Shone said he assumed the fire had been started by ”some local kids who were swimming in the riverâ€.
Josias and Shone estimated that the fire would continue to burn for the next two or three days. ‘It’s hot, dry and very windy. The fire is definitely not going to be extinguished today,†Josias said.