The recent fires across the Overberg have raised many questions. Some believe it is arson while others say it is just the time of year.
According to one of them who wished to remain anonymous, firefighters couldn’t confirm whether it was arson, and asked people not to speculate but rather to support the firefighters. “We regularly ask for donations and people just have to keep us in their prayers. It is very challenging out there.” In one of the worst fires yet in the Gansbaai district, which has been raging for more than two weeks, more than 4 000 ha have been destroyed.
On 6 December the De Kelders/Gansbaai fire flared up again in the Walker Bay Nature Reserve on the Stanford side.
“The fire remains inaccessible and is currently burning out of control,” Dr Dean O’Neill, Overstrand Municipal Manager, said. “There are no firebreaks in the area where the fire is moving. The hot weather and dry winds also make it difficult to contain the fire.” He confirmed the Overstrand municipal firefighters were battling the windy conditions and high temperatures, which were pushing the fire into unburnt areas.
“What worsens these conditions is the old veld age and dense rooikrans vegetation. Residents can expect smoke in the area.”
On Sunday fresh ground crews were deployed to work along the fire lines in preparation for the expected change in wind direction and increase in wind speed. The south-easterly wind forecast was likely to push the fire into unburnt areas. “Ground teams have been assigned to the active lines,” O’Neill said, “and will, as a last resort, attempt to close the block and the Overstrand Fire Brigade, Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS), Working on Fire and landowners were all on site and fully deployed.”
It appeared the fire was under control, but there were still places where it ws smouldering.
