Cape fire rages in Bain’s Kloof Pass
Capefire rages in Bain’s Kloof Pass
26 January 2006
published by www.int.iol.co.za
South Africa — A fire that started on Saturday was out of control on Bain’sKloof Pass in the Western Cape on Thursday morning, having already destroyedaround 600ha of plantation and fynbos.
“Our people have been battling right through the night to try and containthe flames,” said Cape Winelands executive mayor Clarence Johnson.
Farm workers in the area were evacuated from their quarters overnight as theblaze came close to some houses.
Johnson said had requested the help of the South African Air Force.
Firefighters in the region had been stretched this week as they had helped toput out other fires.
Johnson said he believed the fire, which started at Antoniesvlei, could havebeen caused by arson.
“We have asked the police to look into it.”
A helicopter had been fighting the blaze since 6.30am on Thursday.
Johnson said the bush was extremely flammable as the area last experienced goodrains in June.
