Six people have died in a wildfire at the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve in Heidelberg. According to the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development‚ the fire was spotted on Monday after a smoke was seen coming from the western side of the reserve.A team was dispatched to check the origin and magnitude of the fire. It was later established that the fire came from the Wagon Ranch farm and had made its way to the reserve. Due to strong winds‚ the fire was huge and moving fast.“Internal and external teams were activated to fight the fire. The reserve also activated evacuation for all personnel…When the reserve staff went around the reserve chasing the head of the fire; some harvesters were found struggling to escape the fire‚” said the department’s Roleta Lebelo.“Rescue teams were activated including medical assistance and SAPS. Sadly on the rescue operation‚ one person died‚ while the rest were taken to hospital. Yesterday‚ the number of fatalities grew to six.” Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Lebogang Maile conveyed his condolences to the families and friends of the deceased.“We are grieved by the news. Our hearts go out to the families of the affected‚ may they be comforted at these sad times.“During this period‚ with strong winds‚ fire burns must be avoided. Only controlled firebreaks can be started with all control systems in place. It is very unfortunate that an uncontrolled fire found its way to the reserve and claimed lives‚” Maile said.Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve has been in the news for the wrong reasons for years now.The Northern Waterline project‚ which was aimed at ensuring water supply in the entire reserve‚ has dragged on without completion.When The Times visited the reserve earlier this year‚ most the work had been done but the project was not yet complete‚ 12 years after conception. In fact‚ the department wanted to obtain a further R8.6-million to fix some of the design problems which had been left by the contractors on site.At one stage‚ the reserve had to be temporarily closed as the water supply posed a threat to the lives of visitors and workers. - TMG Digital ..