The Hemel-en-Aarde prescribed burn was conducted – and effectively planned and executed - on Tuesday, 12 April 2016 a part of an Ecological and Fire Safety burn. The fire was completely put out and no smoke was visible after 17:30. A fire engine and crew has patrolled and monitored the fire area through the night to ensure continued public safety.
After receiving numerous complaints, Overstrand Fire & Rescue chief, Lester Smith, wants to make it clear that “we cannot be held responsible for the smoke in the Hermanus area from an illegal fire that was reported to the Overstrand control room at 17:05 in Karwyderskraal on Tuesday, 12 April. I therefore confirm that the Karwyderskraal fire is an uncontrolled fire.
“The cause of the fire is unknown and no permission was granted from my office for a controlled or prescribed burn in that area. We are currently doing our utmost best to contain and extinguish the fire. We also used aerial support on Thursday to contain the flank that burned towards Vermont/Onrus”, he added.
Smith said the fire is currently still not under control, but there is no immediate danger to life or property.
The Overstrand Fire & Rescue team, assisted by ground teams from Working on Fire and landowners are on scene and hard at work trying to prevent the fire from spreading.