by Gcina Ntsaluba 28-09-2021
A veld fire that originated in Northern Cape has moved into the Free State. Photo: File photo
Raging veld fires that started in the Northern Cape have crossed into the Free State province.
The Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Land Reform, and Rural Development has warned local communities and motorists to be on alert.
GRAZING AND FARM LAND BURNT
- “So far, more than 43 000 hectares of land, including grazing land, is reported to have been destroyed by the fire over a large area and local landowners have described the fires as totally out of control,” the department’s spokesperson Zandisile Luphahla told Independent On
He said that agricultural and tourism sector infrastructure had been destroyed and severely damaged, while large-scale stock and game losses have occurred.
Luphahla also said that the fires were intensified by the current weather conditions which were making it challenging to extinguish the fires
WATCH: The raging veld fire has jumped over the N12 at various spots.
STRONG WINDS CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR FIRE FIGHTERS
- “The fires are exacerbated by changes in strong wind direction from northerly to westerly, which has caused a large-scale spread of fires over extended fire fronts this afternoon,” he said.
The Frances Baard District Municipality has sent out the disaster management team to fight the fire, however, strong winds are making it difficult to contain the fires.
According to OFM News, at least one farm in the area had been gutted by the veld fire and many roads in the area were inaccessible.
SA weather warnings: Three more provinces put on high alert for wildfires
The station said wild animals were crossing in the thick smoke blanketing the N12 – posing a further threat to motorists.
According to Ulrich Hendriks who posted a video of the veld fires on Twitter, earlier this month nearly 100K of grazing land near Koopmansfontein was destroyed by veld fires.
He said on Monday, the fires swept through large areas of Douglas, Hopetown and the Free State. The fires have killed animals and destroyed some farms as well as grazing land. Strong winds fanned the blaze.
https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/ve ... ee%20State
