Garden Route District wildfire update: Swartberg Mountains

Update

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Although the teams on the ground made progress along the sourthern flank and around infrastructure, the wildfire in the Swartberg Mountains near Oudtshoorn remains active and uncontained.

Conditions are expected to change as the sun rises and winds increase, however predictions are slightly favorable and it is anticipated that the intensity of yesterday's blaze will not repeat itself.

Small counter burns were made last night in strategic areas and these should block the wildfire from affecting infrastructure, however, these measures can only be beneficial if wind conditions remain favorable.

To address the remaining situation, a full-day and full strength deployment of resources has been scheduled.

GRDM Fire Chief Deon Stoffels and Acting Fire Chief for Oudtshoorn Municipality, Ralph Witbooi, visited the Cango Retreat and De Hoek Mountain Resort yesterday to ensure that these facilities are still safe from the wildfire. Trigger points remain in place for a scaling up of resources, should these accommodation facilities become under threat.

Teams from the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), Oudtshoorn Municipality Fire Services, and CapeNature will work in unison with fully equipped ground crews of Working on Fire to contain the blaze, protect human life and infrastructure.

Should you spot a wildfire, please report it immediately to the GRDM Emergency Call Centre at 044 805 5071 or send a WhatsApp message to 081 709 5193.

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