Over the past few weeks, the Western Cape, including the Garden Route and Little Karoo, has fallen victim to numerous devastating fires.
People watched as Mossel Bay experienced serious fires, resulting in the loss of homes and property. On Monday 12 January, a fire was spotted in the Swartberg Mountains.
The blaze is still ongoing and difficult to contain, as the terrain is dense and hard to access by vehicle or on foot.
Teams from Working on Fire have been dropped off by helicopter. Containment efforts are hampered by high temperatures and strong winds. Active fire lines of up to 3 km have been established in an attempt to control the fire, while aerial support remains on standby.
Die Hoorn spoke to Mornay Thysse, well-known Oudtshoorn firefighter, about the current fire and how it may have started.
“There are many ways that a fire can start spontaneously, like the one currently burning in the Swartberg Mountains,” says Thysse. He also confirmed that no foul play is suspected, as the team has visited the location and found no evidence of the fire being set intentionally.
Die Hoorn asked him what factors could cause a fire like this to ignite. He explained:
- Rocks: Certain types, like ironstone (yster-klip), can create sparks when knocked together. This can occur naturally, for example, when rocks fall or wildlife pass and dislodge stones. A burning smell may sometimes be noticed.
- High temperatures: The Little Karoo has experienced extreme heat in the last week, which can contribute to fires, especially when fields are dry and filled with dry material.
- Glass: Broken glass can act like a magnifying lens, igniting dry bushes or leaves. Glass bottles may be discarded from vehicles or left behind in certain areas.
- Cigarettes: Carelessly thrown cigarette buds from vehicles can also spark fires.
When a fire starts on private property, there are costs beyond just damage. Property owners where the fire originated, whether naturally or intentionally, such as through burning trash, are held accountable. This includes the cost of all resources deployed to extinguish the fire, which can run into millions of rands.
The use of helicopters and airplanes to fight fires can also have long-term effects on farms or property. The region is experiencing drought, and each bucket from a helicopter can hold up to 1 000 litres of water per run. During this week’s operation, 24 buckets of water were dropped from helicopters, which could otherwise have been used for irrigation or as drinking water for animals.
Fires also threaten wildlife, causing serious injuries or death, and destroy natural food sources. Many animals may then move onto farmland, potentially devastating crops and causing shortages in feed and food.
CapeNature issues guidelines for wildlife amid fires
As the Western Cape faces an intense and prolonged wildfire season, CapeNature is calling on the public to act responsibly and lawfully when encountering wildlife affected by fires.
“Our unique fynbos ecosystem is adapted to fire,” says CapeNature.
“Fire is a natural and necessary ecological process. Without it, plants would age, stop reproducing, and eventually die. Even the animals that live in the fynbos have evolved survival strategies, such as the rapid reproduction of the Cape Dwarf Chameleon or tortoises burrowing deep into the soil when they detect smoke.”
So far this season, authorities have conducted 38 aerial firefighting missions, with approximately 90 000 hectares destroyed by recent fires. The Provincial Disaster Management Centre reports that R15 million has already been spent on aerial firefighting support, with additional funding under consideration as hot and dry conditions are expected to continue beyond March.
CapeNature stresses that wildlife displaced or affected by fire must not be touched, captured, fed, or removed. Although animals may appear injured or disoriented, many can recover on their own. Handling wildlife unnecessarily can cause severe stress, injury, or death, and may put both people and animals at risk.
Only trained and authorised individuals or facilities with the proper permits are permitted to handle, transport, or rehabilitate wild animals. Removing wildlife without authorisation is illegal, even with good intentions.
What to do if you encounter wildlife affected by fire:
- Keep a safe distance and prevent interference from people or pets.
- Do not feed or move the animal unless it is in immediate danger.
- Observe and note the location (GPS or pin location if possible).
- Identify the species correctly.
- Take note of any visible injuries.
If you need assistance, contact CapeNature Karoo Regional Office at 087 087 3002. (MALISSA SPIES & ANGELIQUE ERASMUS)