Cape fires flare up again
Cape fires flare up again
23 February 2009
published by www.news24.com
South Africa — Fires in Somerset West have flared up again after being briefly brought under control, fire services said.
Helicopters were unable to assist in fighting the fires because of the smoke clouds, platoon commander Clive Smidt told News24 on Monday morning.
The fire department had to rely on fire trucks to get the fires under control, he added. About 30 fire trucks were on the scene and more would be dispatched later on Monday morning.
Smidt said the fires had been under control, but flared up again because of the wind.
“The situation can turn out nasty” because of the wind, Smidt said.
“The fires have been raging for about two weeks in Somerset West and were brought over from the fires in Stellenbosch,” Smidt said.
No injuries or deaths have been reported.
