By Johnathan Paoli
Wildfires continue to burn across large parts of the Eastern and Western Cape, forcing evacuations, damaging farmland and infrastructure, and stretching emergency resources as strong winds and extreme heat fuel flare-ups across both provinces.
In the Eastern Cape, the Kouga municipal area remains one of the hardest hit, with residents in Linderhof near Oyster Bay ordered to evacuate after wind-driven flare-ups brought fire fronts dangerously close to homes.
Fire services issued the evacuation as a precautionary measure after underground fires reignited, complicating containment efforts.
Kouga executive mayor Hattingh Bornman said while most fires in the municipality are currently under control, conditions remain unpredictable due to shifting winds.
“The biggest concern at the moment is near Oyster Bay, where many fires are underground. We have three aircraft working in the air, but they are struggling to gain full control. A small area called Linderhof has been evacuated purely for safety reasons,” Bornman said.
Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft continue to support ground crews in the Kouga region, particularly along the road between St Francis Bay and Oyster Bay.
Firefighters are also battling active blazes in areas including Kabeljouws River, Zuurbron and north of Boplaas, between the N2 and R102, where difficult terrain has hampered access.
Although fires threatening residential areas in St Francis Bay and much of Humansdorp have been contained, emergency services remain on high alert.
About 40 residents from Jeffreys Bay were earlier evacuated to community halls as a precaution, while flare-ups have also been reported in parts of Nelson Mandela Bay.
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has urged communities to cooperate fully with emergency personnel as a red-level fire warning remains in place.
The South African Weather Service has warned of extremely high fire danger conditions across parts of the Sarah Baartman District Municipality and Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, driven by dry, hot and windy weather.
Fire authorities have warned that even contained fires could flare up rapidly if wind conditions change, and have urged residents to remain vigilant and comply with evacuation orders and safety advisories.
In the Western Cape, firefighting crews continue battling multiple blazes, with the Overstrand Municipality among the worst affected areas.
Fires burning for several days in Pearly Beach and Stanford have spread rapidly due to high winds, forcing evacuations and placing informal settlements at risk.
Overstrand Municipal Manager Dean O’Neill said the Pearly Beach fire remains out of control, with flames burning at high intensity near the Pearly Beach Resort and along sections of the R43.
“The fire made an 180-degree turn and spread in an easterly direction, fanned by high wind speeds,” O’Neill said.
In Eluxolweni, firefighters worked to guide flames away from an informal settlement, while continued suppression efforts remained underway on another flank.
Around 80 residents from 22 households were accommodated at the Stanford Community Hall after expressing safety concerns.
An Oryx helicopter from the South African Air Force has been deployed to assist firefighting operations in the Overstrand area, supporting ground teams battling fires across difficult terrain.
O’Neill said the municipality’s priority remained the protection of lives and that residents are urged to evacuate if they feel unsafe.
In Mossel Bay, authorities confirmed that fires which tore through Aalwyndal, Island View and Vakansieplaas earlier in the week have been contained.
No active fire fronts were reported by Friday evening, although mop-up operations continue and crews remain stationed at strategic trigger points as winds of up to 30km/h are forecast.
The Mossel Bay Municipality said approximately 23 square kilometres were affected by the fires, with multi-agency teams from the Garden Route District Municipality, Working on Fire and local fire services continuing to monitor hotspots.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said the province has deployed more helicopters than ever before, including military support, as wildfires burn across large areas of the province.
More than 100 000 hectares of land have been scorched, with significant infrastructure damage reported in Mossel Bay, Pearly Beach and parts of Cape Town, including Du Noon.
While no loss of life has been reported, several firefighters have been treated for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion, and one young girl was hospitalised following fire-related incidents earlier in the week.
The South African Weather Service has warned that fire danger conditions are expected to persist across parts of the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape, with extremely high fire danger forecast in several regions.
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