Firefighters are engaged in a relentless battle against multiple, fast-moving wildfires across the Kouga region of the Eastern Cape, with hot, windy weather also keeping crews on high alert in the Western Cape’s Mossel Bay area. The situation has led to major road closures, the destruction of several homes, and significant damage to electricity infrastructure, leaving communities without power.
The N2 national highway between Jeffreys Bay and Humansdorp remains closed to traffic, with several roads within Jeffreys Bay also shut. Authorities have issued an urgent evacuation order for residents in the Swartbos area along the R330 road near St. Francis Bay.
In an interview, Kouga Municipality Mayor Hattingh Bornman outlined three primary areas of concern: continuous flare-ups outside St. Francis Bay, a fast-moving fire north of Jeffreys Bay where four houses burned overnight, and fires between Humansdorp and Jeffreys Bay threatening major power lines.
The fires have severely impacted Eskom’s infrastructure. The power utility confirmed that four major lines have tripped, with some burned down, causing a major outage in the Kouga, Humansdorp, and Sarah Baartman areas. Repair work can only begin once areas are declared safe. St. Francis Bay has been without power since Tuesday afternoon, with restoration not expected until late Thursday at the earliest.
Mayor Bornman reported that while some residents have been evacuated, the community and local businesses have rallied, donating food and resources for firefighters and displaced persons. He urgently requested that residents avoid sightseeing near fire zones, as congestion is hampering emergency vehicles on narrow roads.
In the Western Cape, several homes were destroyed on Tuesday as fires swept through the residential areas of Aalwyndal, Island View, and Vakansieplaas in Mossel Bay. Joseph Johnston, Senior Manager for Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management Services in Mossel Bay, explained that a fire contained in a rural area on Monday reignited and spread rapidly on Tuesday due to high winds, heat, and dry vegetation.
“The situation changed on Tuesday and that led to the spread of this fire… propelled into the residential area,” Johnston stated. He emphasized the extreme difficulty of containing such fires, noting that even with vast resources, wind speeds and spotting—where embers jump ahead of the main fire—can make them unstoppable.
When asked about preparedness, Johnston clarified the division of responsibility, with district municipalities handling rural fires and local municipalities focusing on residential areas. He stated that while they are capacitated for their role, “with these type of fires you can have all the resources in the world but you will not stop it” under the prevailing conditions.
Both officials advised residents on safety measures. Johnston urged property owners in rural and interface areas to reduce fire loads by maintaining green gardens with indigenous plants, creating firebreaks, and having basic firefighting capabilities on hand.
Mayor Bornman advised Kouga residents to remain calm, trust official evacuation instructions, and avoid panic. Emergency teams continue to work around the clock as the volatile weather threatens further flare-ups.