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South Africa Wildfires Burn 100,000 Hectares, Force Evacuations in Western Cape

Wildfires are raging across South Africa's Western and Eastern Cape provinces, with over 100,000 hectares of land burned in the Western Cape alone. Authorities have ordered evacuations in areas like Pearly Beach, prioritizing life safety amid dry, windy conditions. While no fatalities have been reported, a young girl was hospitalized and several firefighters treated for smoke inhalation. Officials have deployed significant aerial resources, including a military helicopter, to combat the widespread blazes affecting key tourist regions.

Key Points: South Africa Wildfires: 100,000 Hectares Burned, Evacuations

  • Over 100,000 hectares burned in Western Cape
  • Evacuations ordered in Pearly Beach
  • No fatalities but hospitalizations reported
  • Military helicopters deployed to fight blazes
2 min read

Wildfires burn over 100,000 hectares, prompt evacuations in South Africa's Western Cape

Major wildfires rage in South Africa's Western and Eastern Cape, burning over 100,000 hectares and prompting evacuations. Officials urge high alert.

"The first priority is to save lives. - Dean O'Neill"

Cape Town, Jan 11

Several wildfires continued to rage across South Africa's Western and Eastern Cape provinces, with more than 100,000 hectares of land burned in the Western Cape and further evacuations underway, authorities said.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde told public broadcaster SABC on Saturday that fires were affecting the entire Western Cape Province as well as parts of the neighboring Eastern Cape, Xinhua news agency reported.

No fatalities have been reported so far, although a young girl was hospitalized in Mossel Bay and several firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation.

Winde said that "more helicopters than ever" have been deployed to battle the fires, including a military helicopter. He added that more than 100,000 hectares have been burned across the province, with most infrastructure damage occurring in Mossel Bay, as well as in areas such as Du Noon in Cape Town and Pearly Beach.

The Mossel Bay Municipality said on Saturday morning that while there were no active fires in the area, all teams would "remain on alert" due to dry and windy conditions.

The Overstrand Municipality, where Pearly Beach is located, issued a statement about fire evacuations around noon on Saturday, saying that firefighting resources were under severe pressure, with two active fires in the area.

"The first priority is to save lives," Overstrand Municipal Manager Dean O'Neill said in the statement. "Residents of Eluxolweni and Broadway Street in Pearly Beach are being evacuated to the community hall."

He also urged residents in other parts of the municipality to remain on high alert, warning that "evacuation may become necessary if conditions worsen."

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Cape Province, the Kouga Municipality, one of the areas hardest hit by wildfires in recent days, said on Saturday that fire crews were still battling several blazes and that conditions remained volatile.

In a statement issued late Friday, Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane expressed "deep concern" over the wildfires engulfing parts of the province, noting that they were occurring during South Africa's peak summer tourism season and affecting key tourist destinations.

"The premier called on residents, visitors and all road users in affected areas to exercise maximum vigilance and to strictly adhere to directives and evacuation instructions issued by disaster management officials, fire and emergency services, and law enforcement agencies deployed across the various fire hotspots in the province," the statement said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
The priority to save lives is absolutely correct. It's good to hear no fatalities so far, but a young girl hospitalized is very worrying. South Africa's disaster management seems proactive with the evacuations. We could learn from their use of military helicopters for such crises.
R
Rohit P
Occurring during peak tourism season is a double blow for the local economy. Many people depend on that income. Hope the international community steps up to help. India has experienced similar tragedies; we should offer any technical assistance or firefighting expertise we can.
S
Sarah B
The dry and windy conditions mentioned are the real danger. Once a fire takes hold in that weather, it's a nightmare to control. Residents staying on high alert is crucial. Wishing strength to all the emergency crews working round the clock.
V
Vikram M
While the response seems robust, a question for the authorities: were there enough early warning systems and public awareness campaigns before the fire season? Prevention is always better than cure, especially with something as predictable as summer wildfires.
K
Kavya N
The community hall being used as a shelter is a classic and effective move. It's the same protocol we follow during cyclones here. Hope they have enough supplies for the evacuated people. The real test begins after the fires are out – rebuilding lives and land.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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