Thabazimbi blaze consumes veld
Thabazimbi blaze consumes veld
11 October 2010
published by www.news24.com
South Africa — A Working on Fire (WoF) spokesperson, Evelyn Holtzhausen, said on Monday that more than 250 firefighters supported by fire-fighting aircraft were struggling to control the fire which has burnt about 80.000 ha of veld in the Thabazimbi area since Friday.”
Holtzhausen said in a statement that the hot temperatures of between 35 and 40ºC and strong winds in the area were fuelling the fire.
There were six WoF ground crews on the scene as well two WoF helicopters and two Defence Force helicopters.
The fire had burned 50% of the Marakele National Park.
No loss of life had been reported. However some farm structures in the area had burned.
About 100 SA Police Service trainees were at the fire line.
A meteorologist for WoF, Santjie du Toit, said temperatures in the area would remain high for the next two days.
An investigation would be launched into the cause of the fire once it had been brought under control, said Holtzhausen.
