More than 100 firefighters have been battling a raging fire for several hours that started in the Tsitsikamma area this morning, Monday, June 21.
Over 100 firefighters from seven Working On Fire (WOF) teams in the Eastern Cape, one from the Southern Cape (Crags) together with two aerial resources (a helicopter and fixed wing spotter plan) are hard at work trying their best to suppress the fire.
According to the General Manager of WOF in the Eastern Cape, Phumza Dyantyi, there are two fires that started this morning in the Tsitsikamma area, one in Coldstream and the other in Witelsbos (Koomasbos).
WOF spokesperson, Nthabiseng Mokone, said that they had dispatched five teams to the fire in Witelsbos and there were no WOF resources on the other fire. Later during the day these fires combined to form one fire.
“At the moment there are eight WOF teams assisting MTO, SaNParks and Eastern Cape Umbrella FPA in fighting this fire,” Mokone said at approximately 14:30 today.
Working on Fire is the department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment’s programme that helps fight veld and forest fires.
“The wind is still strong in this area and the N2 is still closed,” Mokone added.
The Eastern Cape has two fire seasons, the winter fire season that affects the eastern part of the province from June to October and the summer fire season, affecting the western part of the province from December to April.
While some teams are busy fighting fires, others are busy conducting awareness at schools and within communities to ensure that everyone is fire safe. Strict Covid-19 protocols are applied during these awareness activities
“Community members and land owners are urged to be vigilant all times.”
