WATCH: Aerial fight against Richards Bay woodchip fire intensifies

As huge smoke clouds fill the Richards Bay sky this (Monday) morning, planes have since 5am been hard at work dousing the burning woodchip stockpiles at the NCT mill.

Speaking to the ZO, Zululand Fire Protection Association fire officer Tony Roberts said the aim is to prevent the TWK woodchip stockpiles from going up in flames as the NCT stockpiles continue to smoulder.

ALSO READ: WATCH: NCT speaks on Richards Bay woodchip mill fire

“We are wetting the woodchip piles that have not burnt, to prevent them from catching fire when the wind switch kicks in at around 9am and 10am,” said Roberts.

The fire, which has been raging since Saturday afternoon, prompted a collaborative response from various concerned agencies and the community.

Mondi Fire Services, Bell Equipment, Transnet Fire Services, South32, RBM, Foskor and other private companies have been part of efforts to extinguish the blaze.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Richards Bay residential fire concerns as woodchip blaze rages

In a statement on Sunday, Foskor, which is in close proximity to the mill, said the company’s assets and property are safe and not affected by the fire incident.

“Despite this, we remain on alert and have implemented preventative measures as part of our contingency measures to keep our people and properties safe,” said Foskor spokesperson Thembile Jobe.

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