GQEBERHA: Emergency road closure leaves commuters stuck on either side of the N2 closure between Gqeberha and Jeffreysbay with no clear timeline for reopening. At 16:00 today uncontrolled wildfires continue to rage near the N2, with authorities unable to provide a definitive timeline for when safe passage will resume.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Fire and Emergency Department earlier today issued an urgent warning about wildfires on the N2 near the Wind Farm Service station, stating that the fires, fueled by strong winds and dry vegetation, pose a significant threat to nearby communities. The N2 is currently closed, and nearby communities are urged to avoid the area. Smoke from the fires has reduced visibility to near-zero in certain sections, making it impossible for the road to remain open safely.
The Municipality’s Fire and Emergency Department, working in collaboration with the Fire Protection Association, has mobilized 10 firefighting vehicles and teams to combat the wildfires. With public safety as the top priority, efforts are focused on containing the blaze, protecting nearby communities, and preventing further spread.
According to social media reports, as of 16:15, the situation on the N2 between Jeffrey’s Bay and Gqeberha remains critical, with travelers facing an increasingly difficult choice: wait indefinitely or attempt the heavily congested alternative route.
Those hoping to travel between the two towns are confronting a stark reality – the main route is closed “until further notice,” while the alternative R102 diversion is experiencing severe congestion due to the high volume of diverted N2 traffic.
Current advice suggests that if authorities can contain the fire and wind speeds decrease, they may attempt to reopen one lane under escort, but this is unlikely to happen before 18:30 or 19:00 at the earliest.
For those already caught in the situation, authorities are advising travelers still in Jeffrey’s Bay to remain there rather than join the lengthy queues on the R102, suggesting that “restaurants and shops are a better place to wait than in a 2-hour queue.”
Adding to travelers’ concerns, air quality in the Thornhill area has deteriorated significantly due to smoke. Those in the vicinity are being advised to keep windows closed and air conditioning on “recirculate” mode to avoid smoke inhalation.
The Municipality continues to monitor affected areas closely and is urging residents to exercise caution and report any signs of fire. For fire emergencies, residents can contact Fire & Emergency Services at 041 585 1555 or Disaster Management at 041 501 7900.
The Municipality has committed to providing updates as the situation develops, but for now, those needing to travel between PE and Jeffrey’s Bay remain in limbo, uncertain when their journey will be possible.
Adding to the travel chaos, Kouga Local Municipality has announced that the R330 road between Humansdorp and Hankey is also closed due to poor visibility and raging fires. Residents and motorists are being urged to exercise extreme caution as gale-force winds continue to fuel veld fires across the region.
The Kouga Municipality stated that all necessary personnel are attending to the matter, but the additional closure further restricts alternative routes for travelers already struggling with the N2 closure. Residents are being urged to stay vigilant and report fires immediately.
