Residents in the Overberg area are praying for rain to douse the runaway fires which flared up again on Friday afternoon.
An order of immediate evacuation was issued by the Overstrand Municipality as a wildfire in Franskraal begun raging out of control.
On Thursday, firefighters were hopeful that they had brought it under control. This is the same fire that broke out on New Year’s Eve and spread through various parts of the municipality, including Betty’s Bay, Rooi-Els and Koggelbaai. It has been burning for more than a week.
Residents were asked to take their belongings and leave their homes when high winds fanned flames out of control in Franskraal, Karwyderskraal, Betty’s Bay, Gansbaai and also Hermanus.
Firefighters from the Cape Town and the winelands area are desperately trying to bring the fire under control.
The South African Weather Service has predicted 77% rain for the area on Friday evening, residents are hopeful that this will assist in dousing the fire.
Fire in #FranskraalFire spreading so fast. The whole valley is now covered in thick smoke with 40km/hr winds pumping. @wo_fire @vwsfires @ewnupdates @News24 @cptfrs pic.twitter.com/t25nSkCEkM
— Caryn (@MedicCazUp) January 11, 2019
Devastating fire in the #hemelenaardevalley which has now spread to Hermanus!! Praying for rain. #communityworkingtogether pic.twitter.com/mjKRK1u9XG
— Bouchard Finlayson (@BouchFinlayson) January 11, 2019
Fires and evacuation everywhere. Betty’s Bay, Hermanus, Franskraal. Gail force winds! #BettysBayFire pic.twitter.com/qYAUdkcSYu
— Rene Nel (@diverene) January 11, 2019
#BettysBayFire Rain has helped a lot, but danger is still not over. Many houses burned down. The fire was just to quick in the strong winds. pic.twitter.com/kyWvhOiBbP
— Rene Nel (@diverene) January 11, 2019
Many of our brave firefighters are lending a hand at the #BettysBayFire in the #Overstrand. Hoping that the rain in the forecast for tonight will help! pic.twitter.com/qx5zyZdPuj
— Stellenbosch Municipality (@StellMun) January 11, 2019
@vwsfires #BettysBayFire #FlairUps not again wind is picking up pic.twitter.com/h0BOu6ilxP
— GondaHaydricks?? (@GKHaydricks) January 11, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers with everyone in the #Overstrand and surrounds
Strong winds is fueling #Franskraalfire with precautionary evacuations being called.
#Franskraal #BettysBayFire pic.twitter.com/q0T0LDihwx— Ricardo Mackenzie (@ricardomackenzi) January 11, 2019
Main image: Rene Nel (Twitter)