Somerset West fires still raging

CAPE TOWN – Raging fires in Somerset West are threatening three historic wine estates in the area, City of Cape Town Fire Management said yesterday.

‘The fires are currently burning on three farms and threatening the Vergelegen, Lourensford, and Knorhoek wine estates,’ said Senior Communications Officer, Winston Davids.Lala Panzi Lodge, in the Wedderwill Estate just outside Somerset West was also under threat, and some residents in that area had to be evacuated.Davids said helicopters used to drop water bombs could not be launched at the moment, as the smoke was too dense, therefore hindering the pilots’ visibility. ‘A sure way of extinguishing the fires would be to use water bombs, but it’s not possible right now.’For the moment we have our fire-fighters on the ground trying to battle the blaze, and over 200 emergency personnel.’He explained that the fires started about a month ago in the Grabouw area. Hot weather and heavy winds resulted in the fires flaring up, and spreading to Somerset West.’They start off small, and are fuelled by hot and windy weather conditions. As we extinguish the fires, hot spots remain high up on the mountains, and then flare up once again by the wind… sometimes it is very windy, causing the fires to spread very fast.’Davids said the cause of the fires was still undetermined.Animals were evacuated off the farms, and no one was injured in the blaze.’I am not sure if the farmers are still on their property.’ The fires were expected to rage for at least three more days. – Nampa-Sapa

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