Southern Cape Fire Protection Association

29/05/2026

27 May 2026 – Fisantehoek Fire Management Unit Training

On 27 May 2026, the Southern Cape Fire Protection Association (SCFPA) assisted the Fisantehoek Fire Management Unit (FFMU) with a wildfire training exercise. The programme included both theoretical and practical training sessions aimed at improving participants' knowledge of wildfire management, fire behaviour, safety procedures, and basic firefighting techniques. The practical component provided participants with hands-on experience in applying the concepts covered during the theoretical session.

13/05/2026

Wayne Young (SCFPA Uniondale Office) is currently assisting the Garden Route District Municipality and George Municipality with the coordination of humanitarian support efforts in Avontuur and surrounding areas.

The Southern Cape Fire Protection Association would like to thank all role players and supporting agencies involved in supporting the affected community. WOF-Kishugu JV

13/05/2026

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝟭𝟵 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟯 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟭𝗵𝟯𝟬

Issued by Garden Route District Municipality

SITUATION SUMMARY

Today’s forecast received from the South African Weather Service, the weather is improving, however there is still a Level 4 warning for storm surges that will the affect the Western Cape valid for tomorrow, 14 May 2026.

Residents of Kamanassie, De Vlught, Bo-Kouga and areas in Avontuur are still cut off. On the Western sides of the district, a spilling of water exists due to the latest storms that reached the western parts of the Western Cape. Officials are monitoring the rivers around the Witsand area focusing in the Floruskraal en Gamka Dams. The water will again flow down the river passing Gourits where the teams are monitoring those specific areas.

It has come to our attention that electrical cables and transformers are stolen in affected areas in Gouritsmond (Hessequa Municipality), N2 Pineview (George Municipality) and Kranshoek (Bitou Municipality), placing additional pressure on municipal electricity departments and Eskom as they work to restore power to affected areas.

Those involved are strongly urged to stop immediately, as severe penalties may be imposed for such illegal activities. We request the public to be on the lookout for these activities and report perpetrators to their nearest SAPS Office or local municipality.

Various river currents remain extremely strong, and residents are seriously urged not to attempt crossing rivers and flooded areas, as it remains highly dangerous and poses a significant risk.

HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE

Department of Social Development and their partners have placed people at the halls where they are sheltered. Figures have come down in terms of housing people at these halls. A total of 308 people is still housed at halls in the district and all of them are still catered for in terms of humanitarian needs by the Department of Social Development. A total of 200 more emergency food parcels were received and delivered to affected areas.

George Municipality is currently obtaining the services of the helicopter to fly in aid to areas that are still cut off including Kamanassie, De Vlught, Bo-Kouga, Hartebees River and areas in Avontuur to deliver emergency food parcels to those affected.

PRIORITIES FOR TODAY, 13 MAY 2026

We are currently looking for assistance to deploy teams to areas that are still cut off from electricity, such as Still Bay and Jongensfontein. Officials are currently working to restore the electricity in those areas.
Teams are still busy removing trees that were blown over and the public is urged to contact the GRDM Disaster Management Centre at 044 805 5071 / or Whatsapp 081 709 5193 to report trees that poses a threat, especially on the main roads.

STATUS OF ROADS

Work on the N2 is still in progress. Although roads are open, stop-and-go system is in place and alternative routes are available.

SCHOOLS RE-OPENED THIS MORNING, 13 MAY 2026, EXCEPT FOR SCHOOLS WHERE INFRASTRUCTURE AND ROADS ARE DAMAGED.

Disaster-related updates are published by Local Government here:

Garden Route District Municipality
- https://www.facebook.com/gardenroutedm

Hessequa Municipality
- www.facebook.com/hessequamunicipality

Mossel Bay Municipality
- www.facebook.com/mosselbaymun
- https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaObfDbBadmjaxmERb0d

George Municipality
- www.facebook.com/george.municipality
- https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaRHVS9HAdNXTJPKis3k

Knysna Municipality
- www.facebook.com/knysnamunicipality
- https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaddGzkKwqSX9z7fPm2V

Bitou Municipality
- www.facebook.com/bitoulocalmunicipality
- https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb5xx5wGE56kaY90693M

Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality
- www.facebook.com/oudtmun
- https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VagZwTjHgZWmFke9An2N

Kannaland Municipality
- www.facebook.com/kannaland.munisipaliteit.5

Report Provincial Road Issues via Download the Roads4U app
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.gov.westerncape.roadsforyou
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/roads4u/id6752285666

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐺𝑅𝐷𝑀 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑀𝑎𝑛𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑡𝑜 𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑-𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 24/7 𝐸𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝐶𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝐶𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐺𝑅𝑀, 044 805 5071 𝑜𝑟 𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑠𝐴𝑝𝑝 081 709 5193

26/02/2026

Tsitsikamma Fire Management Unit - Community Wildfire Suppression Training – Wittekleibosch. The Southern Cape Fire Protection Association, in partnership with key stakeholders, successfully hosted a one-day Basic Wildfire Suppression Training at the Wittekleibosch Community Centre.

A total of 137 community members from Wittekleibosch, Nuweplaas, Woodlands, Snyklip, Doriskraal, Eerste Rivier, Clarkson, and Ekuphumleni attended the training. The session focused on equipping participants with essential wildfire suppression skills and improving community readiness during fire season.

We extend our sincere appreciation to all stakeholders who contributed to organising and presenting the training:

Working on Fire WOF-Kishugu JV

Cennergi

Tsitsikamma Development Trust

Tsitsikamma Wind Farm Trust

A special thank you to Working on Fire, who engaged with local youth about the opportunities available through their programme for unemployed young people. They also demonstrated the correct and safe use of hand tools on the fire line — a valuable hands-on experience for all who attended. Photographs provided by Wayne Young and Marshall Geswint.

25/02/2026

Goudveld Wildfire Incident:
The SCFPA provided additional operational and logistical support to SANParks today in response to the Goudveld wildfire incident.

23/02/2026

(ICS) 2026 Incident Management Team (IMT) Scenario-Based Training Exercise (SBTE)
18–20 February 2026 | Nature’s Valley

The Southern Cape Fire Protection Association (SCFPA) extends its sincere appreciation to the Western Cape Government Government for funding and supporting the 2026 Incident Management Team (IMT) Scenario-Based Training Exercise held in Nature’s Valley.

The exercise provided a practical platform to reinforce the application of the Incident Command System (ICS) within a complex, multi-agency wildland fire environment. The ICS remains the cornerstone of effective emergency response management, offering a structured, scalable and standardized command framework that ensures:

- Clear command and control structures

- Defined roles and responsibilities

- Improved communication flow

- Enhanced operational coordination

- Efficient resource allocation and tracking

- Improved safety management

- Accountability at all operational levels

By applying ICS principles in a realistic simulation environment, participants were able to test decision-making processes, resource deployment strategies, logistical coordination, planning cycles, and operational briefings under controlled but challenging conditions.

Importantly, the exercise went beyond technical ICS implementation. It created a valuable opportunity to strengthen professional relationships and build trust between agencies involved in wildland firefighting and disaster response. In large-scale incidents, operational success depends not only on systems and procedures, but also on established working relationships, mutual understanding of mandates, and shared expectations. NCC Wildfires

30/01/2026

The SCFPA recently conducted two structured training sessions, one within the Herolds Bay Fire Management Unit and the other within the Wilderness Lakes Fire Management Unit. A total of 49 participants, comprising SCFPA members and their staff, successfully completed Basic Wildfire Suppression and Fireline Safety Training.

This training is a critical component of the SCFPA’s fire preparedness strategy, as it equips members and their personnel with the fundamental knowledge and practical skills required to operate safely and effectively during wildfire incidents. The programme focused on wildfire behaviour, suppression techniques, hazard identification, and fireline safety principles, thereby reducing the risk of injury and improving coordinated response efforts.

By strengthening the competence and situational awareness of landowners and on-site staff, the training contributes directly to improved initial attack capability, safer operations, and enhanced cooperation with other emergency services. This, in turn, supports compliance with the National Veld and Forest Fire Act (Act 101 of 1998) and reinforces the overall fire management capacity within the SCFPA area of responsibility.

20/01/2026

12/01/2026

Langkloof FMU – Joubertina Fire Incident

A vegetation fire started next to the R62 near Joubertina and, driven by strong winds, spread rapidly in a northerly direction toward the Vodacom tower on top of the hill. The Kou-Kamma Municipal Fire Services responded promptly to contain the incident.

This fire, like many others, is suspected to have resulted from negligent human actions. Such behavior places immense and unnecessary strain on fire and emergency services, especially at a time when resources are already stretched to the limit. Over and above the ongoing Keurbooms North Wildfire, multiple vegetation fires had to be managed today, placing significant pressure on all available firefighting resources across the region.

We urge all members of the public to act responsibly and remain vigilant. Please report any vegetation fires immediately to your local and/or district fire and rescue services. Preventable fires put lives, property, and our natural environment at risk.

📹 Video credit: Dewald Strydom

11/01/2026

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝟯: 𝗛𝗲𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗴, 𝗛𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟭 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗮𝘁 𝟬𝟲𝗵𝟱𝟱

Significant progress was made throughout the night in suppressing some of the accessible fire lines of this wildfire, especially around structures.

However, the fire is still moving slowly towards the boundary of Peerplaas, farms and toward the Tradouw Pass mountain. It is currently burning on the Grootvadersbosch farm and is moving in a north-westerly direction towards Peerplaas. The western flank is advancing north-west towards the Tradouw Pass mountain area, which is also the Overberg District boundary.

Aerial resources are on standby, as the fire may pose a threat to infrastructure.

Firefighters on scene include teams from the Garden Route and Hessequa Municipalities, the Southern Cape Fire Protection Agency, CapeNature, the private landowner, and Working on Fire.

If you spot a veld or wildfire, please report it immediately to the GRDM Emergency Call Centre on 044 805 5071 or via WhatsApp on 081 709 5193.

Issued by GRDM Communications