Bitou Fire Association

05/07/2026

16/01/2026

Keurbooms North Wildfire update:

The fire moved down the mountain towards the N2. This allowed crews to execute counter measures and the fire line was sucessfully held at the N2. This was the first active involvement by our Bitou Fire & Rescue crew as well as Crags Fire Management Unit crew. They joined the 3 week long efforts by Sanparks, MTO, SCFPA, WoF and others.

And then the rains came down!

No active flames visable nor heat signatures being picked up by satellites at this time... but this morning crews noticed 2 spots that were still smouldering. One has been attended to, the other is being monitored.

Vast majority of crews have stood down. The area is still being monitored on foot and occasionally from the air.

This one has had many pronouns thrown at it over the weeks but if it survives that rain we are going to have to start calling it Sir !!🤞🤞🤞

👊💪❤️‍🔥👨‍🚒🚒👨‍🚒❤️‍🔥💪👊
Southern Cape Fire Protection Association
Bitou Municipality

15/01/2026

This town is amazing!!
Total of 12 trolleys full over 3 days.

THANK YOU ALL!!!
❤️❤️❤️❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️❤️❤️

15/01/2026

The good news...

13/01/2026

Update: 22h00 14.01.2026
The fire is VERY visable tonight. During the late afternoon & evening it moved down the mountain to the N2. Everybody who needs to know is aware and crews are on scene.

Keurbooms North Fire Update:
This fire is expected to be very visible from town tonight as it hits a ridge closer to the N2. It will again look to be much closer than it actually is.

First pic shows today's active fires, the last 24hrs, the last week. The spread & direction is clear.

In the last few days the Northern lines have moved right over into Louterwater Misgund area, created some chaos there. So far little to no structural damage. Mostly slowing down that side.

The winds have fanned the Southern edges back to life and these have come down from the hills. This will be visable tonight.

Ground crews have been active every day with Choppers dumping huge amounts of water on most days.

The various hotspots are being carefully monitored and trigger points with action plans are in place.

Everybody is hoping that the rain predicted for Thursday actually happens for a change.

Say a prayer, hold thumbs & cross fingers and toes!

Southern Cape Fire Protection Association
Bitou Municipality

11/01/2026

Your Help is needed:
Arson, Neglect and Ignorance are the primary causes of fires in our area currently.

Bitou has managed to avoid the devastating fires we see happening around us - in part due to rapid and maximum response from our Bitou Fire & Rescue Services assisted by our 5 Plett Volunteer Wildfire Strike Crews.

We are stretched!!!

YOU - the Public are a huge part of any fire response. Vegetation is super dry out there and winds do not help.

Please report any suspicious activities seen or fire in your area to the Emergency Control Room:
Bitou 24hr Emergency: 044 533 5000
Toll Free if needed: 0800 212 797
Garden Route District: 044 805 5071

Please share this post everywhere!!!

Bitou Municipality
Southern Cape Fire Protection Association

10/01/2026

Teamwork wins!!

08/01/2026

This Fire has not played nice in the last 24hrs!!! Summary from SCFPA below spells it all out..

Our Bitou Fire Dept ran ragged in day shift as well as early night shift. Some people are just not getting it... Bloody great log fire for "church service?" Really??? At least 2 deliberate fires were started today alone.

Also spare thoughts & prayers for those further East and West of us. It is a hot dry mess!!!

🙏🙏🙏❤️‍🔥Firefighters❤️‍🔥🙏🙏🙏

06/01/2026

Keurbooms North fire:
Pics from 2 weeks, 1 week and this morning.

It is now over 2 weeks since the lightning strike started this one. The burn scar is now over 8500 hectares mostly in very tall, dense & old mixed fynbos.

But it was a spectacular sight last night!! So many super pics posted on groups & pages. This was a combination of very few clouds, plenty smoke & wind direction blowing smoke from a small section of the fire closest to us over the fire furthest from us - this lit up the whole smoke cloud. Be assured it is about a thousand times smaller than it looked last night!

The fire is now further from Plett than when it started and mostly burning away from here. Estimate 25km direct.

The fire has reached pre-determined trigger points and ground crews do now have access to parts which are of concern.

Today will see countermeasures put into place... which may create more smoke. As well as this, a full aerial assault will again take place.

Spare a thought and a prayer for the folks in Louterwater area on the R62 who have been sucking smoke for days with this thing headed in their direction. Also MTO, SanParks, WoF and other crews who have been slogging away for over 2 weeks. Operations & Logistics by Garden Route District and Bitou Fire Departments as well as Southern Cape Fire Protection Association are ongoing.

Please call in any fire in your immediate area of Bitou directly to 044 533 5000 24hr Emergency lines.

Teamwork always wins
💪👊❤️‍🔥👨‍🚒🚒👨‍🚒❤️‍🔥👊💪

Bitou Municipality
Garden Route District Municipality

03/01/2026

Another interesting day for many crews...

Update Keurbooms North fire:
Pictures below of active fires there over 7 day period and then this morning. Mainly the eastern section remains active, no life or structural threat. Choppers have spent many hours in areas of threat. Ongoing monitoring & intervention as needed.

Wittedrift Rd fire:
Bitou FD took on initial call and called for assistance from Harkerville Rural Protection to bring the burn under control.

Kwano East fire:
Bitou has their hands full already and called on Plett South Fire Management Unit to take on a wildfire called in by an observant person on adjoining farm. Rapid response brought this one down as well.

Bitou Fire Dept continue to work with serious staff shortages following "Injury On Duty" incidents... Volunteers jump in where needed... that's how we roll in Plett.

Please call in any fire in your immediate area to 0445335000.
Alternative numbers 0445013230/1.
And contact your local Fire Management Unit.

👊💪❤️‍🔥👨‍🚒🚒👨‍🚒❤️‍🔥💪👊
Southern Cape Fire Protection Association
Bitou Municipality