While the world’s attention is focused on the devastating wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles, South Africa is battling its own escalating wildfire crisis.

Data from Working on Fire (WoF) shows that wildfire incidents in December 2024 nearly doubled compared to December 2023, which WoF said reflects a disturbing global trend driven by climate change.

In December 2024, WoF teams attended 100 wildfires, compared to 51 in the same month the previous year - a 96% increase. Out-of-season fires also rose by 67.6%, from 105 incidents in 2023 to 176 in 2024.

Working on Fire-Kishugu Joint Venture (WOF-Kishugu JV) says an analysis from 2017 to 2024 shows a concerning trend that the number of wildland fires has spiked dramatically in recent years, with 2024 setting a new peak. Picture: Supplied.

The Western Cape remains the most affected, recording 42 wildfires in December 2024 alone, while the Eastern Cape also faced significant fire activity. These trends mirror the alarming frequency and intensity of wildfires seen worldwide, WoF said.

“These numbers are a reminder that South Africa is not immune to the global wildfire crisis,” said Trevor Abrahams, Managing Director of WoF. “While the world watches Los Angeles, our firefighters too are battling conditions that are increasingly fuelled by climate change.”

The devastating wildfires currently raging in Los Angeles mirror challenges South Africa has faced, including the 2017 Knysna fires. These include:

● Unseasonal Fires: Fires occurring outside traditional seasons, driven by prolonged drought and erratic weather.

● Extreme Conditions: Hurricane-force winds in LA and gale-force winds in South Africa amplify fire intensity and spread.

● Operational Challenges: Hazardous conditions often ground aerial firefighting efforts during critical early stages.

“These shared challenges highlight the global scale of the climate crisis,” said Abrahams. “South Africa and Los Angeles are part of a growing list of regions grappling with more frequent and severe wildfires. The time to act is now—locally and globally.”

Working on Fire teams were at the forefront of the summer fire season wildfires in the Western Cape last month, responding to the Swartberg Mountains in a nine-day operation involving 212 firefighters and aerial resources dropping 194,000 litres of water, where 15,000 hectares burned.

Jongensfontein recorded the longest-running fire of the season, lasting 18 days.

At the Theewaterskloof Dam, a complex, 13-day operation involved over 30 firefighters. Aerial firefighting resources played a critical role, with helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft logging 245 flying hours and dropping two million litres of water in December 2024.

South Africa’s escalating wildfire crisis reinforced the urgent need for action, WoF said, calling for investment in resources, strengthening public-private partnerships to enhance firefighting capacity, collaboration globally to adopt advanced firefighting strategies and predictive technologies, and addressing the root causes of climate change to reduce the frequency and intensity of wildfires.

In Cape Town, the City’s Fire and Rescue Service responded to over 2000 fire incidents in December.

South Africa - Cape Town - 23 December 2024 - The City of Cape Town's Fire and Rescue Service received an emergency call after 4am on Monday morning, reporting that there were structures alight in the informal settlement of Masiphumelele near Kommetjie. Fire crews managed to contain a blaze by 11am after 14 frontline firefighting resources from various Fire Stations, with more than 70 staff members attending to the fire. More than 100 structures have been destroyed in the fire, leaving over 400 people homeless. No injuries or fatalities were reported but the City of Cape Town's Fire and Rescue Service's Jermaine Carelse said they had to call on law enforcement to patrol the fire lines, following attempts to cut fire hoses. Humanitarian relief partners, Living Hope and Gift of the Givers are on-site to assist with the immediate needs of the affected residents. Living Hope has availed its premises for donation drop-offs. These can be delivered 24/7 at the security gate at its offices opposite the Sunnyacres Shopping Centre. Anyone wishing to assist can donate clothing for all ages, non-perishable food items like rice, maize meal, tinned fish, tinned beans, and baby formula, as well as personal hygiene items. Photographer: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers

During the period, 11 people died as a result of fires. The most recent incident claimed two more lives and displaced over 16 residents in Gugulethu.

During the festive season, the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre coordinated responses to four major informal settlement fire incidents in the space of four days. On December 23, 86 structures were destroyed in Masiphumelele, leaving 450 people displaced. On December 24, 53 structures were destroyed in Nomzamo, leaving 132 people displaced, and on December 25, 143 structures were destroyed in Dunoon, leaving 544 residents displaced, and December 26, 307 structures were destroyed in Langa, leaving 685 residents displaced.

Cape Times

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