Sea rescuers roped in to help quell berg wind-fuelled fires in the Southern Cape
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) turned its attentions inland on Thursday‚ when its “Wilderness volunteers were activated to assist with multiple fires that had spread rapidly across George‚ Wilderness and Hoekwil areas”. They got a call at 4pm to lend a hand with the fire which is believed to have “started in the bushes during berg winds and in the heat of the wind fires spread rapidly threatening properties and homes”.“Sadly‚ at least four houses have been razed to the ground in Wilderness‚” an NSRI statement said.“Everyone came together to help to assist wherever possible‚” said NSRI Wilderness station commander Hennie Niehaus.That included “emergency services teams from the George and Wilderness Fire and Rescue Services‚ the Western Cape Government Health EMS‚ traffic services‚ the SA Police Services‚ Disaster Risk Management‚ Working on Fire teams and two helicopters battling multiple fires spread across the area”.“Fire teams are continuing to monitor the situation through the night and it is believed that the fires have mostly been brought under control. The Eden District Disaster Risk Management are providing updates to keep the public informed.“It is believed that no serious injuries were reported‚” the statement added. TMG Digital..
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