Pringle & Betty’s Bay / Hermanus & Franskraal Hero Stories
Where it began: Parts of the Western Cape coastal village of Pringle Bay were evacuated early on Thursday due to a fire that is believed to have been started by a flare on New Year’s Eve in neighbouring Betty’s Bay.
Residents of the Mooiuitsig and Hangklip areas were advised to leave their homes and belongings and gather in the town’s central business district.
Clarence Drive, between Gordon’s Bay and Kleinmond, was closed as flames raged on either side of the road.
Water bombers were brought in to assist firefighters, but a strong south-easter was fuelling the flames.
On Tuesday, the Overstrand Municipality offered a R5,000 reward for information about the person who started the blaze by firing a flare at midnight as the new year arrived.
PICTURES: Overberg fires burn out of control
Residents in the Overberg area are praying for rain to douse the runaway fires which flared up again on Friday afternoon.
An order of immediate evacuation was issued by the Overstrand Municipality as a wildfire in Franskraal begun raging out of control.
On Thursday, firefighters were hopeful that they had brought it under control. This is the same fire that broke out on New Year’s Eve and spread through various parts of the municipality, including Betty’s Bay, Rooi-Els and Koggelbaai. It has been burning for more than a week.
Residents were asked to take their belongings and leave their homes when high winds fanned flames out of control in Franskraal, Karwyderskraal, Betty’s Bay, Gansbaai and also Hermanus.
Firefighters from the Cape Town and the winelands area are desperately trying to bring the fire under control.
The South African Weather Service has predicted 77% rain for the area on Friday evening, residents are hopeful that this will assist in dousing the fire.
Fire in #FranskraalFire spreading so fast. The whole valley is now covered in thick smoke with 40km/hr winds pumping. @wo_fire @vwsfires @ewnupdates @News24 @cptfrs pic.twitter.com/t25nSkCEkM
— Caryn (@MedicCazUp) January 11, 2019
Fires and evacuation everywhere. Betty’s Bay, Hermanus, Franskraal. Gail force winds! #BettysBayFire pic.twitter.com/qYAUdkcSYu
— Rene Nel (@diverene) January 11, 2019
OVERBERG RESIDENTS PIN HOPES ON RAIN AS FIRE CREWS BRACE FOR TOUGH NIGHT
Earlier on Friday, local municipalities requested residents to evacuate their homes as high winds rapidly fanned the flames of fires.
Read further:
Gordon’s Bay Residents Association | Firewives:
https://www.facebook.com/gbayresidentassociation/
“Thank you Zurwigh Marais for using your pocket money to buy all the Col drinks and water for the Firemen. What a super example you have set for the ‘children’ of Gordon’ Bay, your parents must be super proud of you.” – Gordon’s Bay Residents Association |
Gordon’s Bay Neighborhood Watch:
https://www.facebook.com/gordonsbay.neighbourhoodwatch/
Solidariteit Helpende Hand – Weskaap Streek:
https://www.facebook.com/Solidariteit-Helpende-Hand-Weskaap-Streek-1024198127665134/
Somerset West Neighborhood Watch:
https://www.facebook.com/somersetwestnw/
Strand Neighborhood Watch:
https://www.facebook.com/strandnw/
Harold Porter National Botanical Garden:
Greater Overberg FPA:
https://www.facebook.com/goFPA/
Betty’s Bay Volunteer Community Fire Fighters:
https://www.facebook.com/Bettys-Bay-Volunteer-Community-Fire-Fighters-558429274174559/
SkyCatcher:
https://www.facebook.com/SkyCatcherMedia/
Sullivan Photography:
https://www.facebook.com/SullivanPhotographyZA/
Betty’s Bay Tourism:
https://www.facebook.com/bettysbaytourism/
Country Animal Clinic:
https://www.facebook.com/countryanimalclinic/
Butterfly World:
https://www.facebook.com/ButterflyWorldAnimalSanctuarySA/
Hermanus Times:
https://www.facebook.com/hermanustimes/
Mywhale – Kleinmond Hermanus Stanford Gansbaai:
https://www.facebook.com/MyWhaleCoast/