Cape Town – A runaway fire at the Du Toitskloof Pass, which began on Tuesday, continues to burn out of control, with people and animals having to be evacuated overnight.
Fuelled by gale-force winds overnight, the fire has now spread into private properties situated between the old and new tunnels, putting them in danger, the Cape Winelands District Municipality's Fire Service said.
The N1 outbound has been closed at the Toll Plaza and motorists have been advised to use an alternate route. The N1 inbound before the Huguenot Tunnel was reopened two hours ago.
On Thursday evening, it was reported that the blaze could be seen from Klapmuts, near Stellenbosch.
“The Cape Winelands District Municipality's (CWDM) Fire Services can confirm the fire in the Du Toitskloof Pass continues to burn out of control," the Cape Winelands District Municipality's Jo-Anne Otto said earlier.
"Fuelled by very strong winds during the night, the fire has now spread into private properties situated between the old and new tunnels.
"All resources are deployed in an effort to prevent damage to houses and other structures. Both tunnels are closed to traffic. Alternative route will need to be sorted.”
The Drakenstein Farm Watch (DFW) posted on Facebook: "Many animals suffocated due to extreme heat and flames in the devastating fires in the Du Toitskloof mountains.
"While the various fire-fighting entities, as well as the profesional volunteers of the DFW, were battling the blaze with all they had and under extreme circumstances, some true heroes emerged and handle the evacuation of farmworkers and their children as well as horses and pets.
"DFW commander Tessa van Leeuwen Boomkamp and her crew already started evacuating animals in an early stage, given her expertise with mountain fires.
"As the Keerweder area in Paarl suddenly got engulfed by flames, the local residents needed to be evacuated as well…
"In total, three trips were made getting more than 30 local farmworkers out, some of whom needed to be carried due to their age. Remarkable efforts by remarkable people...
"Some horses got injured rather bad as they tried to escape the flames, but are caught and treated by the vet."
Western Cape Traffic chief Kenny Africa said motorists can make use of the R33 and R44 routes.