Update

HEIDELBERG NEWS - Firefighters continue to battle an active wildfire near Heidelberg, which remains uncontained.

 Fortunately, no infrastructure is currently under threat.

According to the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), the blaze continues to burn uphill along the northern slopes, where the veld is estimated to be between 30 and 60 years old - a factor contributing to the intense fire load and heavy smoke visible in the area.

On the north-facing slopes towards the Brand River, the veld is younger, ranging from one to three years old, and officials anticipate that the fire in this section will self-extinguish.

A crew of 45 firefighters is conducting a strategic burn-out operation along the western perimeter, anchoring the line to nearby farmland to prevent the spread of flames toward structures. 

In the north-eastern corner, the fire remains active but inaccessible to ground teams. 

A contingency firebreak has been established roughly five kilometres southeast, close to structures, as a precaution in case of shifting winds.

Current weather conditions are favourable, and forecasts for the evening suggest that the fire is unlikely to spread further.

Firefighting teams from GRDM Fire and Rescue Services, the Southern Cape Fire Protection Association, CapeNature, Working on Fire, and local landowners remain on the scene.

Residents are reminded to report any sightings of veld or wildfires immediately to the GRDM Emergency Call Centre at 044 805 5071 or via WhatsApp at 081 709 5193.

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