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Overstrand crews respond to Betty’s Bay wildfire
Overstrand Fire and Rescue Services responded to another wildfire, this time in Betty’s Bay on Sunday, 23 January 2022. “A call was received at approximately 12h00”, said Overstrand Municipality’s media liaison and social media officer, Riana Steenekamp. “A fynbos fire occurred within the urban interface. The FDI was predicted to be orange, with subsequent high temperatures with a moderate north-westerly wind. Response included a major pumper, three bush pumpers and three skid units from Hermanus, Kleinmond, Betty’s Bay and Pringle Bay, respectively. Aerial support included three choppers and a spotter,” Steenekamp said. The wildfire burnt in fynbos and alien vegetation.
Incident commanders during the wildfire were Assistant Fire Chief for Operations and Training, Angelo Aplon and Chief Fire Officer Lester Smith. The fire was contained by 16h00 on Sunday, 23 January 2022, with the assistance of the Western Cape Provincial Fire and Disaster Management initial sortie and the assistance from the Quick Reaction Force, a partnership between Winelands Fire Protection Association and a consortium of insurance companies. Overstrand fire fighters and various volunteers continued with mop-up operations. Challenges faced included that the wildfire burnt on the urban interface and therefore there was an immediate threat to the houses and infrastructure. The fire also occurred on the slope of a mountain with a moderate north-westerly wind, fanning towards the structures. The cause of the fire is unknown at date of publishing. Source: Riana Steenekamp, Overstrand Municipality media liaison and social media officer |
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