Garden Route District Wildfire Update: Swartberg Mountains, Oudtshoorn, 04 January @ 08h30
Today marked a positive start to the day at the Swartberg Mountain Fire, with the early and strategic utilisation of aerial firefighting resources in Division Yankee. This included the suppression of the most eastern fire line and the deployment of firefighters up the mountain, particularly due to the prolonged nature of this fire incident and the extremely difficult terrain.
A total of 54 ground crew members and supervisors were deployed to the mountain.
The courageous and absolutely commendable initial ground crew follow-up suppression, after the successful aerial firefighting work in the morning, was unfortunately undone by changing climatic conditions, mainly due to a swift wind shift and very steep terrain. Fire activity in one inaccessible gorge escaped the valiant efforts of fire crews, causing the fire to burn around an already extinguished line in the late afternoon, spreading to Central Karoo infrastructure. Crews have been relocated to this area.
On the Western Flank, in Division Zulu, at Bothas Hoek, east of the Swartberg Pass, GRDM crews implemented a counterburn to prevent the fire from spreading north toward Prins Albert. Although still some distance away from Prins Albert, the swift wind shift unfortunately caused a spot fire in this area as well. Crews have fallen back to deal with this spot fire and are still working to contain it. Unfortunately, maneuvering through the difficult terrain caused a knee sprain to one of the ground crew members, and the crew is currently being located.
Although today marks one of the toughest days for firefighter morale after much hard work, we can confirm that no structures have been lost.
*GRDM Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel encouraged the firefighters with the following words:*
"I'd like to express my heartfelt gratitude and admiration to our brave firefighters for their tireless efforts in combating the ongoing field
*Fire Update: 04 January 2025*
FIREFIGHTING EFFORTS ONGOING AT KOMBUYS FARM AND SURROUNDING AREAS
Today, 4 January 2025, firefighting teams will be working on the eastern side of the fire near the Rus and Vrede Waterfall area. Although this specific location is far from the actual waterfall, it is still referred to as Rus and Vrede.
Teams will focus on this area before moving on to the western side of the fire. The Working on Fire (WOF) helicopter will also be deployed today to assist in firefighting efforts.
We sincerely thank all the businesses and individuals for their generous donations. Your support is greatly appreciated. If you'd like to contribute, additional donations are welcome and can be dropped off at the CapeNature offices in Oudtshoorn.
Footage supplied.
_Issued by Oudtshoorn Municipality on 04 January 2025 at 07:09_
Fire Update: 03 January 2025
FIREFIGHTING EFFORTS ONGOING AT KOMBUYS FARM AND SURROUNDING AREAS
Today, 3 January, the firefighting teams from the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality, Garden Route District Municipality and Cape Nature and teams of WOF (Working on Fire) is hard at work on the fires.
• The fire in Division A is located north of De Kombuys, Koos Raubenheimer Dam, the Cango Caves, and the White Stone Retreat.
• In Division B, the fire is burning on the northern side of SWBG, west of the Swartberg Pass, on the Prince Albert side.
• Division C has the fire spreading at De Aap, on the northern side of the Swartberg, also on the Prince Albert side.
• The fire in Division Z is northeast of De Hoek and Bothashoek.
• Division Y is experiencing a fire southeast of De Cango and Rus en Vrede.
Tomorrows forecast the maximum temperature is 31 degrees the wind direction will be southerly.
We wish the firefighters strength and safety as they continue their brave efforts.
Drone footage of the eastern side of the fire.
Footage supplied by local farmer
_Issued by Oudtshoorn Municipality on 03 January 2025 at 22:07_
VIDEO: 'n Ongeluk het 'n tydjie gelede, Vrydag, 3 Januarie in Voortrekkerweg op die De Rust-pad gebeur. Volgens inligting is daar geen ernstige beserings nie, maar is plaaslike verkeersdienste op die toneel om verkeer te reguleer.
Video: Louise Mouton
VIDEO: 'n Brandweer-helikopter besig om water op die veldbrande in die Swartberge te gooi.
Video: Tuinroete-distriks munisipaliteit
Group Editors would like to wish all our readers a happy and prosperous 2025!
VIDEO: A message from the Garden Route District Executive Mayor, Andrew Stroebel.
*Garden Route District Municipality Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel Visits Firefighters Battling Swartberg Wildfires*
31 December 2024
Today, Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel visited firefighters in the Oudtshoorn Municipal area, where wildfires have been active, in some instances out of control, for several days in the Swartberg Mountains. These wildfires were reportedly ignited by lightning strikes across various mountainous regions.
Mayor Stroebel was accompanied by GRDM Fire Chief Deon Stoffels (left) and Oudtshoorn Municipality Acting Fire Chief Ralph Witbooi (right), who provided insights into the operational plans and progress of firefighting efforts for the day.
Mayor extends his gratitude and best wishes to all role players working tirelessly to safeguard residents, tourists, and critical infrastructure. "Your dedication is truly commendable."
Oudtshoorn-polisie en Forensiese-dienste is tans op die toneel in Voortrekkerweg by Winston Linford Motors waar 'n liggaam van vermoedelik 'n hawelose man vanoggend, 31 Desember, gevind is. Dit is tans nog nie seker wat presies gebeur het nie.
Oudtshoorn Courant hou lesers op hoogte soos inligting bekend raak.
Video: Louise Mouton
VIDEO: 'n Video van die huidige situasie in die Swartberge buite Oudtshoorn.
Garden Route District Wildfires - A Snapshot 29 December 2024 @ 20h15
1. Buffelsdrif (N9, George Municipal Area). The wildfire has been extinguished. Mayor Andrew Stroebel extends his sincere appreciation to George Municipality Fire & Rescue, under Chief Fire Officer Neels Barnard, for providing an hour of aerial firefighting support earlier today. "This greatly assisted with fire suppression efforts, allowing teams to swiftly mop up and declare the fire extinguished earlier this evening".
2. Jongensfontein (Hessequa Municipal Area). The wildfire remains contained. Crews made excellent progress in mopping up perimeter lines and addressing a significant hotspot within the burned area. Control lines were further reinforced using a bulldozer provided by the Hessequa Municipality. A slight drizzle began falling recently, which will greatly assist in de-escalating and closing out this wildfire by 30 December.
3. Swartberg Pass (De Kombuys & Koos Raubenheimer Dam, Oudtshoorn Municipal Area). The wildfires above De Kombuys and Koos Raubenheimer Dam continue to have active lines in inaccessible mountainous areas. Trigger lines have been placed north of the De Hoek and De Kombuys infrastructure, which remains safe under current conditions. Should the fire reach the trigger lines, actions outlined in the Incident Action Plan will be implemented.
Although the landowner, CapeNature, has been managing this fire on their reserve since ignition, the Garden Route District Municipality Fire & Rescue Services will join their Incident Management Team for the next operational period to assist with operational planning and readiness.
Role players collaborating tirelessly with the GRDM and other Fire & Rescue Services personnel include Hessequa Municipality Fire & Rescue Services, George Municipality Fire & Rescue Services, Southern Cape Fire Protection Association (SCFPA), Working on Fire & Kishugu (Ground Operations and Aviation), Savannah Helicopters, SANParks, CapeNature, local
Garden Route District Wildfires - a Snapshot: 28 December 2024 10h45
"The Garden Route District Municipality is currently managing and coordinating two (2) active wildfires across the region," said Mayor Andrew Stroebel.
According to Fire Chief Deon Stoffels, the active wildfires in the district include:
1. Buffelsdrift (N9, Oudtshoorn Municipal Area)
2. Jongensfontein (Hessequa Municipal Area)
Chief Stoffels also indicated that the following wildfires have been contained:
1. Swartberg Pass (De Kombuys & Koos Raubenheimer Dam), Oudtshoorn Municipal Area – Contained but not yet declared extinguished. No fire activity is currently observed, and verification is in progress.
2. Windmeulnek, Knysna Municipal Area – Contained but not yet declared extinguished. No active fire is currently observed, and verification is in progress.
3. Kammanassie, George Municipal Area – Contained, with no fire activity observed, and monitoring is ongoing.
The following fire has been extinguished:
1. Robinson Pass, Mossel Bay Municipal Area
The GRDM extends its gratitude to all role players for their coordinated efforts, as well as to the Still Bay and Hessequa communities for their extensive and generous donations of food and supplies.
The role players who have been working tirelessly in collaboration with GRDM and relevant Fire and Rescue Services personnel include Hessequa Municipality Fire and Rescue Services, Mossel Bay Municipality Fire and Rescue Services, Oudtshoorn Municipality Fire and Rescue Services, Knysna Municipality Fire and Rescue Services, George Municipality Fire and Rescue Services, Southern Cape Fire Protection Association (SCFPA), Working on Fire & Kishugu (Ground Operations and Aviation), Savannah Helicopters, SANParks, CapeNature, local farmers (Fire Management Units), and GRDM Fire Volunteers.
Should you spot a wildfire, please report it immediately to the GRDM Emergency Call Centre at 044 805 5071 or send a WhatsApp message to 081 709 5193.
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