Hot and windy conditions pose serious fire threat in the Cape

Western Cape authorities are bracing for an increase in runaway fires due to extreme weather conditions.

James Styan‚ spokesman for local government‚ environmental affairs and development planning MEC Anton Bredell‚ said that very hot and windy conditions were expected across the province on Wednesday.

Department of local government, environmental affairs and development

Wednesday's hot and windy conditions over the Cape have prompted afire danger warning. Photo: Department of local government, environmental affairs and development

He said the province’s disaster management centre had issued a fire danger warning on Wednesday.

“If a fire starts under these conditions‚ it will be very hard to control‚ it will be unpredictable and it will be fast moving‚” he said‚ urging residents to take necessary precautions.

• Fires indiscriminate as they wreak heartbreak and trauma across Cape societyWestern Cape Premier Helen Zille‚ suburban families in upmarket Cape Town and Winelands farm workers share something in common today - the terror of the firestorm tearing through the province. 

“People who are outdoors or in close proximity to vulnerable areas should be aware of the enhanced threat of wildfires. Please take extra care to fully extinguish campfires and report any new wildfires promptly. I would go so far as to request the public to desist from making any fires outdoors today.''

His statement comes a day after several fires blazed across the province. It forced dozens of residents to evacuate their homes in Paarl and Vredehoek in Cape Town.

Department of local government, environmental affairs and development

A Cape fire as seen from the air. Photo: Department of local government, environmental affairs and development

Many have raised questions about the fires‚ suspecting that there may be an arsonist at work.

• READ MORE: Arson suspected as scores of Cape fires threaten lives, propertyWestern Cape premier Helen Zille, families in upmarket Cape Town suburbs and Winelands farmworkers have something in common today - terror - as a firestorm tears through the province. 

Colin Deiner‚ head of Disaster Management in the Western Cape‚ said the priority currently was the Hawequa fire in Paarl but other major fires also started in the Groot Winterhoek mountain range.

“There are 200 firefighters on the ground and four helicopters water bombing in the area. Two of these are Air Force Oryx helicopters. The fire is currently burning towards Wellington on the one side and Bainskloof on the other side‚” he said.

- TMG Digital/The Times