GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Motorists are warned to proceed with caution and be aware of possibility of falling rocks and trees in the Outeniqua Pass, which was reopened this morning, 30 October. Please note that although the Oueniqua Pass has reopened for motorists there are still active firelines with ground crews busy with mopping operations and emergency vehicles moving constantly between areas.
The public is requested to not stop and take photographs as they are endangering themselves and the fire personnel.
STATUS OF OUTENIQUA MOUNTAIN FIRE
Fire lines around the base of the Outeniqua Mountains (urban interface) are smouldering in areas and mopping up is taking place currently. Active fire lines behind Denneoord are being monitored. Where they can reach active fires, suppression will be done.
Concern now lies with the Northern side Ganzekraal (next to Louvain). Teams will be monitoring the fire behind Hoekwil.
Wind direction strong Westerly for most of today with 6mm of rain predicted.
78 people remain at the Town Hall in George following evacuation yesterday of informal settlement area Golden Valley in Blanco. 180 NMMU students were housed overnight at CRC and Hope Church.
Aerial Support:
Aerial support will be redeployed to attend to other fires in the region and focused on areas needed. Will be working from George.
Resources:
Currently over 593 resources available in the field throughout the district.
Three GO GEORGE buses have been deployed to Rheenendal to assist with the evacuation of people. 600 people have been evacuated in this area.
Additional fires are also being managed by the IMT include:
• Karatara
• Garcia Pass
• Opsoek near Zoar
• Jonkersberg
• Grootvadersbosch
• Ganzekraal
Read more on sister newspaper, George Herald
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