South Africa Battles Widespread Wildfires Across Cape Provinces

Widespread Blazes Engulf Western and Eastern Cape

Wildfires are continuing to rage across South Africa's Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces, with authorities reporting over 100,000 hectares of land burned in the Western Cape alone. The extensive blazes have necessitated widespread evacuations and placed significant strain on emergency services. While some fires are now reported to be under control, others remain active and volatile due to prevailing hot, dry, and windy conditions.

Evacuations and Impact on Communities

Evacuation orders have been issued in several affected areas. In the Western Cape, residents of Pearly Beach, including Eluxolweni and Broadway Street, have been evacuated to community halls. The Overstrand Municipality, which includes Pearly Beach, confirmed that firefighting resources are under severe pressure. In the Eastern Cape, the Kouga Municipality has been particularly hard-hit, with immediate evacuations ordered in communities such as Linderhof near Oyster Bay. Earlier, approximately 40 residents from Jeffreys Bay were also evacuated as a precautionary measure. Additionally, CapeNature campsites and hiking areas in the Cederberg mountains were cleared of guests during a 12-day blaze in late December 2025 that scorched around 24,000 hectares.

The fires have caused substantial infrastructure damage. Most significant damage has been reported in Mossel Bay, Du Noon in Cape Town, and Pearly Beach. In Dunoon, Cape Town, a blaze tore through an informal settlement, leaving more than 5,000 people homeless in what is believed to be the largest informal settlement fire in the Western Cape since 2013. In Franschhoek, a fire claimed one building structure, damaged another, and destroyed a tractor.

Emergency Response and Conditions

Emergency services are working tirelessly to combat the fires. Western Cape Premier Alan Winde stated that 'more helicopters than ever' have been deployed, including military aircraft, to battle the blazes. The Western Cape government has already allocated approximately 15 million rand towards aerial firefighting support for the 2025/2026 fire season. Ground crews are being supported by helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, particularly in difficult terrain. The Gift of the Givers organization is also providing relief efforts to affected areas.

The current fire season in the Western Cape typically runs during the hot, dry summer months from December to March. Officials, including Overstrand Municipal Manager Dean O'Neill, have urged residents to remain on high alert, warning that 'evacuation may become necessary if conditions worsen'. Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane has expressed 'deep concern' over the wildfires, noting their impact during the peak summer tourism season. While no fatalities have been reported, a young girl was hospitalized in Mossel Bay, and several firefighters have received treatment for smoke inhalation.

Ongoing Efforts and Outlook

Fire crews continue to monitor hotspots and battle active blazes. In Mossel Bay, while no active fires were reported, teams remained on alert due to dry and windy conditions. Progress has been made in containing fires in the Overstrand Municipality, with mop-up operations underway in Pearly Beach. However, a wildfire that broke out in Franschhoek was still burning out of control as of January 11. The South African Weather Service has issued warnings for extremely high fire danger conditions across parts of the Sarah Baartman District Municipality in the Eastern Cape.