Update
GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Motorists are warned to proceed with caution and be aware of possibility of falling rocks and trees in the Outeniqua Pass, which was reopened this morning, 30 October. Please note that although the Oueniqua Pass has reopened for motorists there are still active firelines with ground crews busy with mopping operations and emergency vehicles moving constantly between areas.
The public is requested to not stop and take photographs as they are endangering themselves and the fire personnel.
STATUS OF OUTENIQUA MOUNTAIN FIRE
Fire lines around the base of the Outeniqua Mountains (urban interface) are smouldering in areas and mopping up is taking place currently. Active fire lines behind Denneoord are being monitored. Where they can reach active fires, suppression will be done.
Concern now lies with the Northern side Ganzekraal (next to Louvain). Teams will be monitoring the fire behind Hoekwil.
Wind direction strong Westerly for most of today with 6mm of rain predicted.
78 people remain at the Town Hall in George following evacuation yesterday of informal settlement area Golden Valley in Blanco. 180 NMMU students were housed overnight at CRC and Hope Church.
Conville Clinic is providing normal services today. EMS will take all patients to George Hospital. Blanco Clinic has reopened.
Power Outages:
• Hoekwil restored apart from Kerk Street. Hoekwil Kerk Street will remain off for most of today.
• Heatherlands, Saasveld and Hansmoeskraal are being attended to.
Services:
Old Water Treatment Works in Denneoord will be operational shortly with Electro-Technical team attending to electrical supply. Water reserves to George municipal area are adequate but low due to fire related factors and we request that people use only the water necessary. All other reservoirs remain at good levels.
Aerial Support:
Aerial support ill be redeployed to attend to other fires in the region and focused on areas needed. Will be working from George.
Resources:
Currently over 593 resources available in the field throughout the district.
Three GO GEORGE buses have been deployed to Rheenendal to assist with the evacuation of people. 600 people have been evacuated in this area.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Contact George Municipality on 044 8016300
Additional fires are also being managed by the IMT include:
• Karatara
• Garcia Pass
• Opsoek near Zoar
• Jonkersberg
• Grootvadersbosch
• Ganzekraal
All donations towards the firefighting efforts must please be delivered to the George Fire Brigade at Mitchell Street. Thank you for all the donations so far. We are in need of the following:
• smaller bottles of water (not 5L) for the firefighters
• Juices / Energades
• Lip Ice Vaseline
• Wet Wipes
• Rehydrate
• Chocolates / Energy bars / Bar Ones
Financial donations to be made to George Municipality bank account:
Bank: ABSA
Rekeningnommer/Account Number: 01022220981
Takkode / Branch Code: 632005
SWIFT CODE: ABSAZAJJCPE-SORTCODE 632005
Tipe / Type: Tjek/Cheque
BTW/VAT NO: 4630193664
Email :rharmse@george.gov.za
Website : www.george.org.za
Deposit(o) verwysing / reference : Fire/Disaster
Faks/fax: 086 645 7188
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