Firefighters Battle Fire in Banhoek Valley, near Stellenbosch, through the Night

Fire crews are battling #BanhoekFire flames through the night in Banhoek Valley, near Stellenbosch,South Africa.

Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) posted a message just before midnight on Sunday saying their crew is safely down for the night.

“Great job under tough conditions today. Good luck to the fire crews still out there tonight.
Fresh crew departs at dawn. Thank you for your continued messages of support,” said VWS.

Aerial support (“a spotter, chopper and bomber”) was stood down at sunset, and brave firefighters are continuing to try to suppress the blaze, hoping that cooler weather overnight may help.

The fire has spread into the forest areas of Botmaskop and VWS said earlier “not good news as the fires creeps over in hard to work places for ground crews”.

The fire has been causing smoke over Somerset West and Gordon’s Bay.

It’s been a busy weekend for firefighters with Calendon Fire and Red Hill Fire.

#BanhoekFire 16h00 – Crews continue efforts to suppress fire. It's a team effort, with @CapeNature1, @SAWinelands Fire, @wo_fire, farmers! pic.twitter.com/rXns9dTpoK

— VWS Wildfires (@vwsfires) November 20, 2016

#BanhoekFire 13h00 (1/2) -VWS continues to assist Winelands Fire, @CapeNature1. WoF aerial resources on scene. Other crews placed on standby pic.twitter.com/GA0QCmcQfG

— VWS Wildfires (@vwsfires) November 20, 2016

#BanhoekFire 20h00 – Firefighters will continue attempts to suppress the blaze currently burning, near Stellenbosch, throughout the night. pic.twitter.com/w5d6fsVN6E

— VWS Wildfires (@vwsfires) November 20, 2016

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