Firefighters monitor blazes in Hout Bay and near Rooi Els - IOL

FIREFIGHTERS in the Cape are currently battling two blazes - one in Hout Bay and the other near Rooi Els.

The Hout Bay fire is located on the mountain above Hangberg.

According to Michael Abrahams, spokesperson for the City’s Fire & Rescue Department, no property is under threat, with the wind currently driving the fire up the mountain.  

Abrahams reports: “The City’s Fire & Rescue Service is on scene at a fire in Hout Bay which is currently burning towards the peak of the mountain.

“Six fire engines and two water tankers, as well as an Incident Management Team, are on scene.

“No property is affected and no injuries have been reported.

Meanwhile, the fire in the Rooi Els area is still inaccessible to crews and authorities are monitoring the situation.  

Abrahams explained: “The status quo remains with regard to the Rooi Els fire as per this morning’s update, with fire crews having been joined by teams from Cape Nature and the City's Biodiversity Department.

“On Friday afternoon, the City’s Fire & Rescue Service dispatched an Incident Management Team to monitor a fire on the mountain slopes in the Overstrand Municipality as it was burning towards the Kogelbaai area.

“The fire was inaccessible for firefighting due to the terrain and firefighting teams monitored the situation.

“On Saturday, a drone unit was deployed to provide aerial intelligence and monitor the fire’s movement.

“The fire crossed the City’s boundary and additional resources were deployed.

“The Service is monitoring the situation so we can respond as conditions change.”

Abrahams added that at this stage no lives or property are in danger. No injuries have been reported.