News24 | Wolseley fire: Very high temperatures expected to hamper firefighting efforts

8 months ago 14

The Wolseley fire is one of thousands in an "extremely busy fire season" in the Western Cape, prompting the provincial government to increase its wildfire-fighting budget from R16 million to R19 million.

The Wolseley fire is one of thousands in an "extremely busy fire season" in the Western Cape, prompting the provincial government to increase its wildfire-fighting budget from R16 million to R19 million.

Cape Winelands District Municipality

The fire in Wolseley, in the Western Cape, continues to burn for a fourth day. A section of the fire was contained on Wednesday afternoon, but strong winds have resulted in several flare-ups.

 Firefighters were first called out to the blaze on Monday afternoon. The flames have been fanned by strong winds and exacerbated by hot conditions.

Cape Winelands District Municipality spokesperson Jo-Anne Otto said teams would continue monitoring the fire and engaging in mop-up operations on Thursday. She added that on the side of Suurvlakte/Silwerfontein, firefighters faced difficult conditions, including a very high fuel load of large, established Bluegum trees, strong wind, uneven terrain and high temperatures.

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