10 Desember 2020 06:24
A fire in the Jonkershoek plantation on Saturday afternoon.Photo: Francois Lombard
Firefighters in Stellenbosch had their hands full last weekend with two fires in two different locations.
The first fire was reported in the Jonkershoek plantation on Saturday 5 December at around 13:40.
According to Jo-Anne Otto, Deputy Director: Communication Services at the Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM), the fire was burning uncontrollably at that stage, having spread rapidly by strong south-easterly winds across dense vegetation and across inaccessible roads.
Five ground teams, consisting of 50 firefighters, 10 fire fighting vehicles and crew assisted by two helicopters, battled the fire.
The aerial crews stood down at last light, but ground crews and firefighters continued to work through Saturday night.