Battle against WC fires continues

Teams from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) continue to lend a hand to fighting the fires in the Western Cape.

ALSO READ: NSRI assists in battling against the blazes in the Southern Peninsula

According to Ian Klopper, NSRI Kommetjie station commander, “just after midnight, Tuesday, January 17, a team of four NSRI Kommetjie crew, who are also medics and trained in firefighting, at the request of Enviro Wildfire Services [who donated firefighting equipment to NSRI Kommetjie], responded to Vredehoek, Cape Town, to join Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, Enviro Wildfire Services and the emergency services to assist at fires”.

Klopper said the fire crews and emergency services were deployed along a belt of houses that were threatened by the fires.

“The NSRI Kommetjie crew were initially deployed to protect a house in Vredehoek, and the house that they were tasked to protect was saved from burning,” he said.

Then the crew was redeployed to medically treat the firefighters as well as to assist in evacuating residents and animals from homes. They were also called to assist in fighting the fires.

The team was released by fire commanders by 7am.

ALSO READ: LISTEN: Cape farmer describes witnessing fires being lit on purpose

On Thursday morning, the South Cape Forum reported that the fire south of the N2 near Stilbaai had been contained, and that mopping up processes had started in areas north of the N2, where the fire jumped on Wednesday night. Traffic control on the N2 was also in place.

The priority on Thursday would reportedly be to cut off the fire, which was creeping slowly in the direction of Zoutpan.

TEARS Animal Rescue, an organisation that rescues animals, offers veterinary services, rehabilitation and rehoming of rescued domestic animals, has been lending a helping hand to rescuing animals affected by the blazes.

ALSO READ: Firefighters, animal rescue organisations assist animals affected by WC fires

On Monday, Tears posted “heartbreaking news” that a grysbokkie who was rescued on Saturday passed away so only one of the three buck who were rescued from the Ocean View fire last week survived. The organisation called on community members in the Cape to alert them to animals who have been injured by the Cape fires.

A screenshot from the Tears Animal Rescue Facebook page. Picture: Facebook

On a happier note, TEARS did post on their Facebook page on Tuesday that the surviving grysbok, who they named Bambie, was doing well and responding to the bottle feeding and expert care.

The organisation further noted that a Cape Nature ranger had said she had seen a number of healthy buck who had survived the blaze.

A screenshot from the Tears Animal Rescue Facebook page. Picture: Facebook

– Caxton News Service

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