It was a tense night in Mossel Bay as residents were forced to pack up and flee their homes while a huge vegetation fire raged across the town, with the municipality saying several structures and vehicles were destroyed, and at least three firefighters were maimed. The fire, which broke out in a nearby farming area on Monday, spread quickly across the holiday town’s Aalwyndal, Island View, and Vakansieplaas. So far, the fire has swept across more than 12 square kilometres.
Firefighters from Mossel Bay, supported by teams from the Garden Route District, Hessequa, and George municipalities, as well as volunteer groups, worked through the night to bring the blaze under control. However, on Wednesday morning, the municipality said the fire was still burning on the western flank in a farming area near Aalwyndal, a hard-to-reach kloof presenting accessibility challenges. It has, however, been brought under control on the northern flank near Aalwyndal, the eastern flank near Island View, and the southern flank along the N2.
“The fire is still active on the western flank — the farming area adjacent to Aalwyndal, presenting a hard-to-reach kloof area posing accessibility challenges,” the municipality said. “Prevailing weather conditions, especially wind, will be closely monitored for the next operational period from 8 am to 6 pm.” The N2, which was closed overnight between the Langeberg off-ramp in Voorbaai and Dana Bay, has since been reopened. Residents who were evacuated overnight were allowed to return to their homes. The municipality saidwhile a full assessment of the damage was still under way, multiple structures, vehicles and other property have been affected.
