Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Wildfires have been wreaking havoc across the Eastern, Southern and Western Cape throughout the last six weeks or so. The hot, dry conditions in all three provinces have intensified these fires which, in many cases, are exacerbated by strong gale-force winds.
Meanwhile more fires have been reported, the latest in Franschhoek where damage to the vineyards at La Motte were reported. The latest update on Tuesday, 20 January, was that the wildfire was still out of control with fire crews trying to combat the flames at Holiday Farm, La Bri.
More fires in the Eastern Cape, this time in the vicinity of Port Alfred, left devastation in its wake. The St Frances area, Rocky Ridge, Klipfontein and Kleinemonde, with infrastructure destroyed at Standerwick Nursery, are among the affected areas.
A wake-up call for all
South Africans have to understand that wildfires are life-threatening, and that no one is exempt from taking responsibility for preventing it or from falling victim to fires.
The following factors had a significant impact on the wildfires that have thus far wreaked havoc in the provinces mentioned previously:
- Dry and hot conditions: 2024 was the hottest year on record nationally and globally, and 2025 was also a scorcher with temperatures sometimes exceeding above the 45°C mark. Warmer temperatures increase the fire risk significantly due to drier, fuel-loaded vegetation.
- Firebreaks are key to control, access, containment and backburning. For example, should a fire break out on a farm where the necessary fire-fighting protocols are followed with firebreaks in place, chances are slim that the fire will reach other farms. However, if glowing embers are blown onto another farm and no firebreaks are in place there, it will be very hard to contain the fire and prevent it from reaching other farms.
- Unattended, overgrown invasive plant species such as lantana, wattle trees, fir trees and blue gum trees are happily growing and thriving on farming and communal lands, including municipal areas where smouldering rubbish heaps often ignite fires. Add to that road reserves which should be maintained by the authorities, and you have a disaster in the making.
- Landowners or town residents doing controlled burning without permission.
- Cigarette butts setting vegetation alight.
- Fires set with malicious intent (arson).
How to report a fire
When reporting a fire, it is good to provide as much information as possible, specifically regarding the following:
- Location and access. Where is the fire and which road, entrance, or gate must be used to access it for fire-fighting purposes.
- Fuel. What exactly is burning? Veld, rubbish heaps, buildings, road side, etc.
- Size and behaviour of the fire. How big is it? In what direction is it spreading? Is it being exacerbated by wind? Were people seen setting something on fire? Is in burning on one or both sides of a road?
- What are the risks? Are lives (human and/or animal) or property (structures) at risk?
If members of the public want to report fires, they must contact their local fire station or municipality, dedicated emergency numbers or use specialised reporting apps. The national general emergency number for reporting fires is 112 (free calling from all cell phones). – Carin Venter, Plaas Media
