The beginning of fire season has already proven to be challenging for firefighters across the Cape – devastating blazes in the Kosovo township of Phillipi, as well as an all-destroying fire in Khayelitsha have marked the start of the Cape’s wild fires.
Working on Fire (WOF) firefighters on the Garden Route have been battling a blaze in Vermaaklikheid since Sunday, which shows no signs of abating.
The fire has sprung up on what is known as a ‘hot spot’ near the Duivenshokriver on the Garden Route. This area falls under the Hessequa municipality, and a total of five houses have been lost to the flames.
Western Cape Fire Update#VermaaklikheidFire Video Footage via the Southern Cape Fire Protection Association@SouthernCapeFPA#SavingLives #ProtectingTheEnvironment #RestoringDignity #Fire #Wildfire pic.twitter.com/1Az0rsm2LK
— Working on Fire (@wo_fire) October 22, 2018
WOF deployed both firefighters and pilots to continue the battle against the Vermaaklikheid blaze, and a spotter plane was deployed along with a chopper at first light.
Speaking to News24, Municipal Manager of the Hessequa Municipality, Johan Jacobs, said that they are providing assistance to the Garden Route District Municiapality.
Picture: Twitter/Working on Fire