Area: Bredasdorp, Overberg District. Heuningberg Mountain & Soetmuisberg Mountain and Napier Mountain range.
To recap, this fire started early this morning on the Golf course, Heuningberg Development area. The ignition was confirmed as malicious.
Due to dense vegetation, inaccessible areas (safety concerns) and very dry veld conditions the fire quickly reached the mountain. The priority to protect the town first and extreme fire behaviour prevented direct attack in the mountain and the decision was made, with the landowners to let the mountain burn till it reaches a safe place to stop the fire.
The strategy for the past 18 hours was to ensure the safety of the Bredasdorp town. These efforts included a large burn out from above the homes, at the foot of the mountain. It was a very stressful time for the residents, and we were all relieved that this burn was successfully completed.
The Airforce deployed an Oryx Helicopter to assist with the protection of the radar system in the mountains.
The farmers/landowners from Bredasdorp to Napier (East of mountain) and the farmers/landowners from the Grashoek area have been preparing and are ready to guide the fire on the farmlands when it moves down from the mountains. This will be a mammoth effort. Due to the terrain, infrastructure, agricultural lands at risk and the continuation of the forecasted strong Easterly winds.
Resources:
Leadership and Fire Services: Overberg District Municipality
#goFPA
Cape Agulhas Municipality
WOF-Kishugu JV ground teams
NCC Wildfires ground team
Volunteer Wildfire Services ground teams
OTB/Denel
South African National Airforce
Donations received from residents and various local business to name a few Spar, Checkers, Woolies and many more. Thx U.
Donation requests for tomorrow:
– Food vouchers, we have to feed our firefighters and landowner teams on the fire lines.
– Air time (data) vouchers
See pic for more information.
#fireseason2526
