A raging fire broke out in the Betty’s Bay area on December 31 2018 and forced locals and firefighters to usher in the new year while battling a blaze and prevent flames from spreading.
The fire reportedly broke out around 12pm on New Year’s Eve on the lower slopes of the Voorberg above Mooisig Betty’s Bay.
The blaze was contained at roughly 6am by teams who put kept a watchful eye on flare-ups throughout the day.
#wildfire #BettysBayFire Good luck to all heading out to a wildfire on New Years Eve. This is not how we want to see the New Year in, please DO NOT fire flares, Light fires or send up lanterns. #BeSafe @vwsfires @Sullphotography @OverbergFPA @FRI_magazine photo @visseranton pic.twitter.com/517vSYEEVZ
— Vulcan Wildfire (@VulcanWildfire) January 1, 2019
To see the teams on the mountain side moving from flare up to flare up was quite something- well done.
— Marcus green (@Marcusg89374730) January 1, 2019
#Overberg #Overstrand #wildfire afternoon update on #goFPA FB. Light rain… Photos 1-2 #BettysBayFire (credit @NCCwildfires and @kishugu (#Firefly) Photos 3-4 #FisherhavenFire (credit Rural Safety and #Firefly pic.twitter.com/XWhQ316xvt
— Greater Overberg FPA (@OverbergFPA) January 1, 2019
Another fire raged through Fisherhaven, which is also located in the Overberg area. Both fires caused significant smoke that covered large parts of the Overstrand and reached as far as Caledon.
The Fisherhaven fire threatened the Karwyderskraal road for two days. Yesterday the Rural Safety farmers and Fire Services had to battle to save four structures. The situation deteriorated again in adverse weather conditions, and aerial support was called upon. Rural safety services, land owners and aerial support protected a local berry farm’s infrastructure from the blaze as well.
The Voorberg mountain fire was very challenging and needed a large number of resources to contain it – including two choppers and specialist teams with nerves of steel.
After the arrival of light rain in the afternoon the fire died down somewhat, but overnight teams remained on standby due to unsafe conditions in the mountains.
Around the same time, the historic town of Wuppertal was engulfed in flames with roughly 45 varied structures being burnt to the ground as a result.
Many homes, stores and other buildings were more susceptible to flames due to their thatch roofing.
Pictures: Facebook/Equity Fire Solutions/NCC Environmental Services