GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - There are six major wildfires in the Garden Route at the moment.
OUTENIQUA WILDFIRE – At the northern flank (Langkloof), the area is currently being mopped up.
At the southern flank (from Witfontein to Saasveld) mopping-up operations are also underway – some flare-ups have occurred.
At the eastern flank (north of Sedgefield, behind Karatara area), there are active wildfire lines.
There are a number of teams busy at this area. Western flank (East of Eskom powerline to Oudtshoorn) the wildfire is slowly moving to the west, teams are monitoring the area because of the mountainous area.
JONKERSBERG WILDFIRE – This afternoon the wildfire reached the plantation and led to the evacuation of 136 people from the area to the Van Der Hoven School.
Although the area is safe to return to, the people opted to stay at the school for the time being. They might return to their homes tomorrow.
At around 17:00, the Mossel Bay Wildfire Chief, Joey Johnson, declared the area safe and the wildfire was also contained. Mopping-up operations will continue throughout the night.
DE VLUGT WILDFIRE – The wildfire is burning in extremely dense and old vegetation, which makes effective wildfire fighting virtually impossible. Teams have been placed all around this wildfire to address any areas where the wildfire might approach any communities or structures.
74 people from Goudveld area have been housed at the Rheenendal community hall. 40 people from Buffelsnek are currently being housed at the Wittedrift school.
Approximately 300 members of the Diepvalle community have been placed on HIGH ALERT to be evacuated to the Hornlee community hall should the wind direction change back to a northerly direction.
GARCIA PASS WILDFIRE – The head of the wildfire has been contained by making use of a backburn all along the pass. There are still active firelines, but no immediate threats.
KRUISRIVIER WILDFIRE – The wildfire here has been contained. Mopping-up operations are underway.
GROOTVADERSBOSCH – The wildfire on the Duiwenhoks side is still actively burning, but this is not a matter of concern at this moment in time.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Five additional Working on Fire helicopters are on their way to assist. The SANDF Oryx has also joined aerial resources this afternoon. A hundred additional WoF firefighters are enroute to the district.
Issued by the Garden Route DM JOC
Emergency Call Centre 044 805 5071
'We bring you the latest Garden Route, Karoo, Hessequa news'
