Residents of Stanford in the Western Cape have been urged to prepare for possible evacuation as a fast-spreading fire burns on two active flanks.
Facebook/Overstrand Municipality
- Residents of Stanford in the Western Cape have been urged to prepare for possible evacuation as a fast-spreading fire burns on two active flanks.
- Fire crews are battling the blaze on the ground and from the air.
- Authorities have issued warnings about possible road closures and advised visitors to leave the area.
Residents of Stanford in the Western Cape have been urged to prepare for possible evacuation, as a fire spreads across the area.
Overstrand municipal manager Dean O’Neill said there was heavy smoke over the Stanford area.
READ | Firefighters battle raging blazes in Kouga area as evacuations and aerial support continue
“Two active flanks are burning fiercely. The left flank is heading towards Die Kop informal settlement, while the right flank is burning towards the R326. Fire crews are on the scene, and it is all hands on deck. The Black Hawk helicopter is also currently engaged in aerial firefighting operations,” he added.
“Residents are urged to remain alert and be prepared for a possible evacuation should conditions worsen. Loud hailing is under way at Die Kop. The Stanford Community Hall in Bezuidenhout Street is open for those who wish to evacuate their properties as a precautionary measure.”
O’Neill also warned that road closures should be expected.
“Visitors still in the area should consider starting to pack up, as current conditions indicate that the wind may carry the fire across the R43. The Stanford road may be closed this afternoon,” he said.
The fire – along with one in Pearly Beach, approximately 40km south of Stanford – that started earlier in the week has burned more than 370 square kilometres in the Overberg.
On Thursday night, the flames spread towards Bredasdorp and Elim. From Pearly Beach, the fire spread into the Agulhas National Park.
The Stanford fire has spread as far as Salmonsdam, with the blaze spreading “at speed and significant flame”, according to updates from the Overberg District Municipality.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Cape’s Kouga Municipality, firefighters continue to battle three blazes in the area, assisted with aerial firefighting support donated by the Gift of the Givers.
The 2 000-litre capacity water bomber helicopter, hired by the Gift of the Givers to assist the Kouga Municipality, arrived from Mossel Bay on Friday morning.
“Our water tanker that arrived from Adelaide last night will be stationed permanently at the St Francis airfield, while two other water tankers will collect water from a source 2km away to replenish our water tanker.
This will assist in the speed of turnaround time of the helicopter to ensure that the fire is ‘tamed’ to permit ground firefighting crews to intervene more effectively at minimal risk to themselves,” said Gift of the Givers operations manager Ali Sablay.
The areas are affected by three main fires: One in the Koukamma area, a second between St Francis Bay and Paradise Beach, and the third between Kabeljous and Jeffrey’s Bay.
The municipality said all three major fires remained active.
Residents of Zwartenbosch, Oyster Bay, Kromme River and Riverside were evacuated on Thursday night.
