Vermaaklikheid fire out of control

Update Video

HESSEQUA NEWS & VIDEO - The fires in and around Vermaaklikheid in the vicinity of Riversdale that have gutted seven homes and destroyed thousands of hectares of grazing, agricultural land and infrastructure, are still raging out of control.

The fires are threatening to engulf many more homes in the secluded, breakaway holiday resort.

At a press briefing this afternoon, the man in charge of the firefighting operation, Reinard Geldenhuys, fire chief of the Overberg District Municipality said as soon as they thought they had the fires contained at about 14:30, the wind changed direction and strength, fuelling the flames in the direction of the village and other homes.

He said it is too dangerous to for fire fighters to battle the flames on the ground and the one chopper in the air is doing all it can to protect property by water-bombing homes threatened by the fire. The fires at Puntjie have been contained.

An air force Oryx helicopter, a Huey helicopter from Ugie as well as two fixed wing bombers from Nelspruit will be there at first light to fight the blaze. Fresh firefighting teams will also join the firefighting efforts tomorrow. Geldenhuys said the loss of the chopper could not be predicted and that this obviously impacted their efforts.

Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Memory Booysen and Hessequa Municipality Mayor Grant Riddles both visited the scene and thanked the fire fighters from the region for their valiant efforts.

According to GRDM the weather forecast for tomorrow is similar to that of today, so they expect to face the same challenges.

Those involved are Hessequa Municipality, Garden Route DM, Overberg DM, George Municipality, Working on Fire, South Cape Fire Protection Association and the GouKou Farm Watch. Local farmers also availed tractors and much needed help.

They also thanked the communities of Albertinia, Stil Bay, Riversdale, Heidelberg and other surrounding towns who ceaselessly take much needed supplies such as food, water, energy drinks, eye drops and ice to the various drop off points. The Mayors announced they have requested that the area be declared a disaster area.

Trevor Abrahams, Chairman of Kishugu Aviation said the renowned chopper pilot, Nico Heyns, who died when his chopper crashed to the ground at about 09:45 this morning (Tuesday 23 November), had flown for Kishugu for the last 15 years. Trevor Abrahams, the Chairman of Kishugu Aviation who provides aerial support for the government’s Working on Fire programme.

He would not be drawn on the causes of the accident, but an eyewitness told South Cape Forum that it looked as though the front rotor gave trouble just before the helicopter fell.

Helicopter pilot Nico Heyns was a passionate firefighter. Photo: Pauline Lourens, George Herald.

Kishugu provides the aerial support for the Department of Environmental Working on Fire Programme.

According to GRDM the weather forecast for tomorrow is similar to that of today, so they expect to face the same challenges.

Watch a video below:

GRDM said people who would like to donate non-perishable food for the fire fighters, must contact Anna Philander on 065 397 3709.

They warned people to be extremely cautious as it is an extremely dangerous area and urged people to contact Philander or to drop off the much needed goods at the Hessequa Fire Station.

The fire near Vermaaklikheid this afternoon, 23 October.