NATIONAL NEWS - The Western Cape Cabinet has requested the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) to delare the current fire season as well as the drought and water supply crisis in the Southern Cape as provincial disasters.

In a statement issued this morning by Premier Alan Winde, following Cabinet’s first meeting for the year yesterday, he said the 2025/2026 fire season has been one of the most severe in a decade and so far has recorded double the number of fires compared with the same period in the previous season. 

Multiple structures across the province have been destroyed, and there has been a huge wildlife death toll. There have been no human fatalities. To date, about 132 000 hectares of land have burned, making this the worst fire season since 2015 and projections indicate that the season could extend into May 2026. It is placing immense pressure on firefighting resources across the province. 

“Disaster declarations allow us to move budgets between departments so that we can bolster municipal firefighting operations, water infrastructure, and supply. Cabinet noted with concern resource limitations by the provincial Department of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, as well as district municipalities in affected areas,” said Winde.

More than R19 million spent on firefighting 

For several months, the Western Cape has been experiencing severe fires due to the persistent hot, dry, and windy conditions across much of the province.

Between 1 December 2025 and 11 January 2026, more than R19 million has been spent by the Western Cape Government on firefighting operations. Of this amount, R16 million was allocated to aerial firefighting resources, which have been critical in containing fires in hard-to-reach areas and protecting communities.

“Local governments have probably spent triple that amount in funding their firefighting operations. The provincial government picks up the tab for the first hour of aerial firefighting. 90% of fires are put out in the first hour. We are also keeping a close eye on the agriculture sector and will engage separately with stakeholders to address concerns from farmers and other role players.”

The firefighting response has involved more than 1 600 municipal firefighters, supported by an additional 1 000 Working on Fire personnel, who continue to work tirelessly under challenging conditions to contain blazes and safeguard lives, property, and critical infrastructure.

Winde reiterated the province’s commitment to strengthening disaster response capabilities and urged residents to remain vigilant, comply with fire restrictions, and report any signs of fire immediately, while the provincial government continues to address both fire risks and ongoing water security challenges across affected municipalities.

Response to Southern Cape drought

Winde said a provincial disaster declaration with regard to the drought in the Southern Cape will also allow an ongoing response to the water security challenges. 

A number of municipalities in the province, including George, Mossel Bay, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Oudtshoorn and Hessequa, are experiencing water security challenges and strict water restrictions are in place. Winde said the situation requires a coordinated response led by the provincial Department of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning.

“The request for a provincial disaster classification is a preventative and risk management measure. It allows us to strengthen governance and sustain a coordinated response, desperately needed to mitigate the impact on residents, the economy, and infrastructure.

“While the Knysna Municipality is currently the hardest hit, a number of other municipalities are also affected. This issue has become more widespread. We must escalate our responses.”

A disaster classification is a formal administrative determination by the NDMC to assess the severity and geographical spread of a disaster to determine which sphere of government is best placed to manage the situation within existing legislative mandates and resources.

Winde stressed that while efforts to address natural and manmade disasters must be continuously scaled up, the Western Cape Government must also maintain its focus on programmes that mitigate the impact of the climate crisis.

Calls for disaster declaration on crime

“It has already been a challenging start to 2026. Ongoing violent crime, along with the wildfires and the water situation in some regions, are grim reminders that we dare not let our guard down, and as we enter a new year, we must continue to act with urgency to get things done.”

He said Cabinet has noted calls for a disaster declaration on crime in the province and the matter is receiving urgent attention. Crime prevention and law enforcement are national competencies, so this decision rests with national government. He will be engaging with acting Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia, early next month, and the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, where this matter will be discussed.

“Cabinet expressed its deep gratitude to all emergency services personnel and stakeholders who worked tirelessly over the past festive period. Whether it was on the province’s roads, in our communities, at tourist attractions, or out in areas impacted by wildfires, we all stepped up to get the job done. 

"Our traffic officials, healthcare workers, paramedics, firefighters, and disaster management teams continue to place themselves on the front line every day to protect lives, maintain order, and care for those in need. Your courage, professionalism, and commitment, often under extremely difficult and dangerous circumstances, do not go unnoticed. The Western Cape is safer and stronger because of you,” said Winde.

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’