Simon’s Town and Glencairn fires largely contained

The City of Cape Town says the fires that have been raging in Simon’s Town and Glencairn this week, have been largely contained.

Firefighters across Cape Town have been battling the blaze on the mountain slopes since Tuesday. On Friday, strong winds fanned on the wildfire spread across to Glencairn.

Residents in the two areas were given the green light on Saturday to return home. They had to be evacuated as a precautionary measure.

PHOTO: Facebook - Working On Fire

Spokesperson for Fire & Rescue Services, Jermaine Carelse says skeleton crews will however remain on the ground to deal with flare-ups.

‘’One chopper was requested earlier to again assist in extinguishing the inaccessible area above the Ostrich farm near Cape Point. The chopper has since been grounded. This has been an enormous effort of all crews involved, and we are hopeful that the worst is behind us.’’

The South African Weather Service has issued a level 2 warning for damaging waves between Cape Point and Port Nolloth, together with strong south to south-easterly winds, reaching near-gale to gale force winds between Lamberts Bay and Cape Agulhas. The weather service also issued a Yellow 3 warning for damaging winds between Lambert’s Bay and Cape Agulhas from Sunday afternoon until Tuesday, with wind speeds at 50-80km/h.

COURTESY: SA Weather Service

Carelse said runaway bush fires remains a threat.

‘’We appeal to the public to please be mindful of these warnings, and to be incredibly alert when dealing with open flames or any flammable substances. Also, the minute you see any sign of a potential fire, please report it to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialling 021 480 7700 from a cellphone, or 107 from a landline,’’ said Jermaine Carelse The City of Cape Town’s Fire & Rescue Services spokesperson.

 

Done By: Mitchum George