PHOTOS: Firefighter Heroes Battle Flames Overnight in DuToits Kloof Fires
Two large fires have been raging in Du Toits Kloof, Western Cape, since yesterday… with reports that some farming communities in the area have had to evacuate. JUSTIN SULLIVAN captured these photos of the rapidly spreading wildfire, and the firemen who worked bravely through the night to fight the flames as they burnt across the Du Toitskloof Pass, […]
Two large fires have been raging in Du Toits Kloof, Western Cape, since yesterday… with reports that some farming communities in the area have had to evacuate. JUSTIN SULLIVAN captured these photos of the rapidly spreading wildfire, and the firemen who worked bravely through the night to fight the flames as they burnt across the Du Toitskloof Pass, near Paarl.
The firemen, including many volunteers, have been credited with preventing a lot of property damage. Approximately 940 ha vegetation has already burnt, according to Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS).
VWS says there are currently 4 helicopters, 8 crews, 120 firefighters and 19 firefighting vehicles on the scene with the Drakenstein Farm Watch, in the Paarl Valley.
Multiple crews were faced with the overnight challenge after the two large fires broke out in the Greater Paarl region on Thursday.
Justin says: “I joined the NCC Environmental Services ‘Hot Shot Crew’ at 5pm to tackle the fire high up in the mountain – the mission was to protect property and secure the surrounding line.
“The crew was supported by Cape Winelands and Cape Nature, and were on the line for more than 16 hours defending property, and later relocated to the next fire.”
As can be seen by Justin’s photos, conditions high up in the mountains were “extremely challenging, with harsh terrain, strong winds and extreme heat being emitted from the blaze.”
Justin says: “Good luck to all the crews currently on scene. #FireIsEveryonesFight.”
All Photos © Justin Sullivan and may not be used without permission.
These photos are republished with kind permission of SullivanPhotography.
#DuToitsKloofFire Videos on Twitter
VIDEO FOOTAGE!!
Du Toitskloof – Ongoing#SavingLives #ProtectingTheEnvironment #DuToitskloofFire #PaarlFire https://t.co/Cl4GCKdawy pic.twitter.com/U7uTU2PnWj— Working on Fire (@wo_fire) February 2, 2017
The #Oryx was water bombing early today to help protect properties under threat from the #DuToitsKloofFire. Video: Drakenstein FW pic.twitter.com/7qJZEPlNkI
— VWS Wildfires (@vwsfires) February 3, 2017
View more photos of the fire on Justin Sullivan’s pages:
www.facebook.com/SullivanPhotographyZA/
www.twitter.com/Sullphotography