Firefighters still fighting two big raging fires in George on Wednesday

Firefighters were still on the scene of two big fires in George on Wednesday evening.

FIREFIGHTERS WERE STILL BUSY ON THE SCENES

These are the Hansmoeskraal fire and a second fire which includes the Saasveld Road, Kraaibosch Manor, and Groenkloof Road.

“Hansmoeskraal fire remains active, firefighting crews are on the scene. Resources on site are the George Municipal 30 000 litre tanker and a Unimog.

“On the scene at Saasveld Road, Kraaibosch Manor, and Groenkloof Road, firefighting crews were actively fighting the fires with three fire engines on-site and aerial support activated this afternoon at 15:36.”

George Municipality

FIRES STARTED SHORTLY AFTER A LEVEL 10 WEATHER WARNING WAS ISSUED

Furthermore, George Municipality said the residential fire at John Street, Denneoord has been resolved.

Report WILDFIRES to the GRDM Emergency Call Centre on 044 805 5071.

George Municipal Fire and Disaster Services on 044 8016300 for after hours and/or 044 801 6311 for fires ONLY.

It seems like the fire at Hansmoeskraal has been raging since Tuesday 17 May 2022.

The public is requested not to start fires in this windy weather as any fire breakage may cause more problems.

This comes as the SA Weather Services (SAWS) issued a level 10 severe weather warning for veld fires for parts of the Western Cape for Monday.

LAST YEAR OVER 3 600 HECTARES OF PLANTATIONS WERE DESTROYED IN FIRES

It warned of veld fire conditions from as early as 08:00 in the morning until late in the evening on Monday.

“Conditions are such that the Fire Danger Index (FDI) is above 75. Under these conditions, fires may develop and spread rapidly, resulting in damage to property and possible loss of human and/or animal life.”

SAWS

Last year over 3 600 hectares of commercial plantation and natural veld were destroyed in fire along the Garden Route.

According to IOL the fires broke out in the Coldstream and Koomansbos areas and have so far destroyed over 3 600 hectares of commercial plantation and natural veld.

No structures have however been damaged by the blazes, whose cause remains unknown so far.