Fires raging in the Western Cape
Nineteen fires are currently burning across the Western Cape Province.
At the moment a fire in Paarl near Du Toitskloof Pass is burning out of control.
@AlexWineIsLove So sorry about these fires. View from top of central #paarl this morning. pic.twitter.com/ShrbCY3XiL
— Erika Cronje-Joubert (@ErikaJoubert1) January 17, 2017
Fire on Du Toitskloof Mtn, Paarl is really bad, now raging in large areas of forestry. Thoughts are with all those brave fire fighters xx pic.twitter.com/OAgdr8xyJw
— Rene Reece (@TheFLJourno) January 17, 2017
Officials say 200 firefighters are on scene trying to fight the blaze, which is being fanned by strong winds.
Provincial disaster management Chief Colin Diener says one thatchroof house has been totally destroyed.
"There are a number of other structures that are at risk and the efforts are now focussed on trying to prevent the fire from getting there. We have unfortunately had to ground the aircraft, because of the very strong winds," says Diener.
Meanwhile, a large veld fire on Table Mountain near Vredehoek has been contained.
The fire started last night in Deer Park, resulting in four homes being damaged.
One of the houses has been severely damaged, while three others have had minor damages.