Ten major wildfires stretch Western Cape resources

Firefighters have had their hands full with at least 10 major wildfires reported across the province over the last week, many of which have been contained due to efforts by fire and emergency services.

By 1pm Monday, firefighters were tackling a wildfire at the Swartberg Mountains, north of Oudemuragie, which, according to the Garden Route municipality, started late afternoon on Sunday.

“CapeNature and Oudtshoorn Municipality Fire Brigade Services responded to this fire incident, and suppressed lower lying areas above the Oudemuragie farms. No infrastructure is impacted at the current time.

“Today's actions included the Garden Route District Municipality deploying a helicopter through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, as well as deploying a ground firefighting team. CapeNature has extended on the aerial resources,” the municipality said.

“Crews were airlifted higher up the mountain to suppress accessible fire lines and to ensure that farming infrastructure to the north and northeast of the fire is protected.”

Meanwhile, roads that were affected by the Pearly Beach and Stanford fires have been reopened. The Overstrand Municipality said that the fire in Pearly Beach has been contained for now, with there being no active fire line.

“Firefighters are busy with monitoring, mop-up operations, and patrols. Crews on the Uilkraalsmond side are continuing with mop-ups.

Regarding the Stanford fire, the municipality said crews are busy with a backburn at De Koude Vlakte to contain the fire within a defined block.

“The perimeter remains very hot, and flare-ups are a high probability due to the rooikrans. Fire danger remains high. Although conditions are slightly cooler today and the wind has eased, the risk of fire is still very high.”

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said that the Pearly Beach fire had been raging for more than a week, with 35 hectares already lost. He also added that the De Rust fire, in the Oudtshoorn area, appears to be under control.

He added that Genadendal and Greyton fires have been hard to reach, but the locals have been “involved in making sure that is contained and managed while it burns”.

The Theewaterskloof Municipality late on Monday said the fire is actively burning in the areas of Galg, Koeniesrivier, Goodhope and Retreat farms. Current conditions include strong winds, which are making firefighting efforts challenging, particularly in rocky and inaccessible terrain.

“Multiple ground crews, skid units, WOF (Working on Fire) teams and farmers’ resources are on-site. There is currently no risk to major infrastructure at this stage, but visibility is poor in some areas, and we ask people to remain vigilant,” the municipality said.

Meanwhile, the City on Monday confirmed that 589 structures have been destroyed, leaving 2 456 persons displaced, following Friday’s devastating Dunoon fire.

Disaster risk management centre spokesperson, Charlotte Powell said this figure will be updated once the last registrations of affected persons have been completed. 

Earlier figures reported over 5000 affected persons. 

“The City’s Solid Waste Department will remove debris from the fire site today. Their Water and Sanitation counterparts are working to restore damaged infrastructure, and Eskom was on site over the weekend to repair damaged electricity infrastructure,” Powell said.

Once the list of affected persons has been finalised, this will be submitted to SASSA to facilitate additional relief, Powell added.

Gift of the Givers said its teams are distributing lunch to nearly 4000 fire-affected residents.

“Bread from Wholesun Bread and jars of peanut butter have reached over 1200 households. Trauma and loss are visible, as an entire section of the settlement has been wiped out. Assessments are ongoing,” the humanitarian organisation said.

Donation drop off points are still active on a 24-hour basis at the following fire stations: Goodwood, Roeland Street, Lakeside, Constantia, Hout Bay, Strand, Wynberg and Milnerton. 

Contributions of non-perishable foodstuff, personal hygiene items (soap, toothpaste, face cloths, sanitary towels), nappies and baby formula, as well as blankets/bedding are welcome.

Cape Times