RUITERBOS NEWS - Multiple wildfires and vegetation fires across the Mossel Bay municipal area saw several firefighting crews from various organisations and municipalities deployed late last night, 15 September, and early this morning to extinguish the blazes.
The first warning of the wildfires was posted to both the Mossel Bay Municipality and the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Facebook pages just after 22:00 last night, alerting the public to two separate wildfires in the Ruiterbos area, under the jurisdiction of the Mossel Bay Municipality.
One of the fires even saw the closing of Robinson Pass, the road linking Oudtshoorn to Mossel Bay. The road was reopened to traffic just after 06:00 this morning.
At about 07:00, the Mossel Bay Municipality issued a statement on its Facebook page notifying the public of vegetation fires near Dana Bay, alongside Louis Fourie Road and the N2.
It posted that all fires have since been contained and that fire crews are busy with mopping-up operations.
Drone Fanatics SA captured this footage in the Ruiterbos area this morning
The GRDM then posted at 07:35 that the wildfires continue to burn in the Ruiterbos area. “Uncontained, multiple spot fires are fuelled by high-intensity gusting winds. The head of the wildfire is inaccessible.
Currently, the slight rain is aiding firefighting efforts. The area burning is primarily made up of mixed fynbos and pine plantation - old veld of 50-year age,” stated the GRDM in its post.
It further stated that the western flank above Ruiterbos near the CapeNature base is the primary focus area due to proximity to houses and wind direction. “There were backfires made by some residents without permission, which resulted in the plantation near the Ruiterbos community area lighting up.”
The post read that the firefighters would also focus on the western flank to safeguard the village area, as well as the southeastern flank heading to Leeukloof. The northeastern flank is active higher up in the mountain, and planning is ongoing for this area.
The GRDM said the second fire above Eight Bells at the foot of Robinson Pass has been contained but will be monitored.
Currently, the GRDM has two tankers and two skid units on the scene. There are also two ground crews activated by the GRDM. CapeNature dispatched two skid units, assisting with hotspots above the nature base.
Cold Stream Timbers has two skid units and a 10-man ground crew at the fire as well.
Stakeholders include the GRDM firefighters, Mossel Bay Municipality, CapeNature, Cold Stream Timbers,
Working on Fire and the Southern Cape Fire Protection Association’s ground crew.
The fires follow a yellow level 2 warning for wind and waves along parts of the Western Cape coastline, issued by the South African Weather Service yesterday. The warning was issued for between 12:00 yesterday until 00:00 tonight, 16 September.
If you spot a veld or wildfire, immediately report it to the GRDM Emergency Call Centre on 044 805 5071 or send a WhatsApp to 081 709 5193.
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