Strong winds fuel fires and close highway on Thursday

Farmers, together with firefighters, were kept busy most of yesterday afternoon, battling fires in high winds in both Bergville and Ladysmith.

The Rookdale area has been devastated by raging fires driven by howling winds. Bergville firefighters and farm workers came out in numbers to fight runaway fires that ripped through the Rookdale Location near Woodstock Dam. It is unknown at this stage if anyone has been killed, but at least eight homesteads were totally gutted. About 20 firefighters were deployed all around Bergville, working until approximately 5pm extinguishing the blaze. Search and rescue operations are being carried out.

Ladysmith farmers were also battling a fire near Surprise Hill.

Farmers praised Public Safety officers and firefighters who spent a large portion of yesterday and last night helping to combat fires.

In addition, high winds saw the N3 being closed near Van Reenen. Winds gusting at about 140 kilometres per hour were reported. The N3 had to be closed between the Tugela Toll Plaza and the Caltex Garage in Van Reenen. RTI and N3TC appealed to drivers to delay their journey if they planned to use this route. The N3 was opened to all vehicles once the high winds had subsided.