Wildfire rages near Raubenheimer Dam

A wildfire is raging in the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipal area, near the Raubenheimer dam.

The wildfire was reported at around 13h25 on Sunday afternoon.

The Western Cape’s Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC, Anton Bredell says the current fires will not affect the quality of the drinking water for Oudtshoorn.

“The Raubenheimer dam is the major source for drinking water for Oudtshoorn. The Oudtshoorn technical team says the fire is mostly below the catchment area and not considered to be a threat to the water supply.”

‘’The difficult terrain makes firefighting efforts more tricky but resources are on the ground and are currently being supported by several aircraft doing water bombings.’’ Bredell added.

No structural damages have been reported so far. The Oudtshoorn Fire & Rescue have also reported that there are currently no danger posed by the fires to nearby structures.

"At the moment the northern flank is contained. The helicopter and bomber are continuing with firefighting efforts," said Adel Supra-Vertue, manager for Fire, Rescue & Disaster management for the Greater Oudtshoorn.

Meanwhile, the George Municipality joined the fire fighting efforts.

"George Fire Brigade sent a tanker this morning, Monday, 26 April 2021, to Oudtshoorn to assist in combatting a wildfire that is currently active and smouldering in the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipal area near the Raubenheimer Dam," said the George Municipality in a post earlier today.

"The tanker is currently utilised to provide the fixed bomber planes with water," George Municipality added.

 

PICTURE: Supplied - Water bombing plane filled.

Done By: Mitchum George