The Eastern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has alerted residents to the possibility of more fires in the Eastern Cape.
Zolile Williams, MEC of Cogta said on Sunday, a recipe for disaster is communities starting fires, to mitigate wild ones.
“We implore our communities not to start any form of fires be it for braai purposes due to prevailing higl risk of more veld fires” said Williams.
He also commended the ongoing tireless efforts of teams to contain raging fires.
“The same goes for the support we receive from the business, Fire Protection Associations, our district municipalities, farming communities, as well as other key stakeholders and NGOs and community based organisations.”
Firefighters continue to contain fires burning out of control at Kabeljauws River and St Francis Bay (Oyster Bay Road).
Fire crews are currently conducting mopping-up operations to prevent any flare-ups.
Plettenberg Bay
Bitou Municipality is the latest local authority to report ongoing fires, in the Western Cape, on Sunday.
The Keurbooms North Fire has been active for 7 days, burning some 18 000 hectares.
The fire recently crossed the R62 at Misgund, requiring aerial support.
The Municipality’s Andile Namntu, said firefighters are keeping a close eye on recently contained fires at Wittedrift Road and the eastern side of Kwanokuthula, with the assistance of the Harkerville Rural Protection and the Plett South Fire Management Unit.
“Communities are urged to report any veld or bush fires that are noticable within their areas. This will assist the municipality and other key role players in rapid response to any fires and prevent the spreading thereof.”
Animal rescue organisations have been reporting tough days in the field in both the Western and Eastern Cape, including the NSPCA, Animal Welfare Society and Panthera Africa.
“Our team will be back on the ground tomorrow for search and rescue. In situations like this, special care is given to wildlife – animals often emerge once the veld cools, searching for food and water, even when injured.”
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Picture: NSPCA