Dordabis plagued by more veld fires

ANOTHER veld fire broke out on farms in the Dordabis area east of Windhoek yesterday morning, destroying vast tracts of grazing.

According to Iris Stehn of the farm Smalhoek, who is co-ordinating the fire-fighting efforts, the blaze started at the farm Autabib. Stehn told The Namibian yesterday that the fire had so far destroyed between 8 000 and 10 000 hectares of grazing.She said the fire spread quickly from Autabib to four adjacent farms.By 15h00 yesterday, people were still fighting to control the fire, which Stehn said was burning on two fronts and was being fanned by strong winds.She said the cause of the fire was not known at this stage.She added that another veld fire had been reported north of Dordabis, in an area known as Basterland, but that she did not have more information about it.About two weeks ago, a veld fire destroyed 5 500 hectares of grazing in the Dordabis area.Sixteen farms suffered damage, with the game farm Kowas was the worst hit.Stehn told The Namibian yesterday that the fire had so far destroyed between 8 000 and 10 000 hectares of grazing.She said the fire spread quickly from Autabib to four adjacent farms.By 15h00 yesterday, people were still fighting to control the fire, which Stehn said was burning on two fronts and was being fanned by strong winds.She said the cause of the fire was not known at this stage.She added that another veld fire had been reported north of Dordabis, in an area known as Basterland, but that she did not have more information about it.About two weeks ago, a veld fire destroyed 5 500 hectares of grazing in the Dordabis area.Sixteen farms suffered damage, with the game farm Kowas was the worst hit.