Wildfire update: Swartberg Mountains

Update

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The southeastern and southern flanks of the Swartberg wildfire are contained, with teams now completing final mopping-up operations.

On the southwestern flank, teams are addressing a short active fire line, and it is anticipated that the night shift ground team who will work into 1 January 2025, will extinguish and mop it up with the cooler weather that was predicted.

The northwestern to mid-northern line remains active in inaccessible areas high in the mountains. A ground crew is positioned at the corner adjacent to and northeast of De Hoek Mountain Resort to prevent the fire line from moving downward. They will focus on extinguishing it when it is accessible by foot.

The northeastern line remains active high up in the mountains toward Spitskop in inaccessible terrain. Currently, there is no risk to human life or any structures.

The night shift working into 2025, include ground crews from CapeNature Marloth, Gamkaberg and Goukamma, as well as GRDM's Night Shift who will remain and work on accessible active and contained areas.

As we reach the end of the 2024 calendar year, GRDM Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel shared some concluding remarks: "Thank you to all the firefighters! I am deeply proud to be a part of #teamgardenroute and thankful for each firefighter's unwavering spirit of service and resilience. To every resident and visitor, let us enter 2025 with renewed hope and determination. May we continue to work together to protect our neighbours, family and friends, our beautiful environment and continue to support one another in times of need. On behalf of the Garden Route District Municipality, I wish you all a safe and prosperous 2025."

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