{"id":46832,"date":"2023-12-13T12:06:50","date_gmt":"2023-12-13T10:06:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/hermanustimes\/ready-to-fight-fires-20231212-2\/"},"modified":"2025-03-20T05:43:01","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T03:43:01","slug":"ready-to-fight-fires-20231212-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/hermanustimes\/ready-to-fight-fires-20231212-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Overberg firefighters ready to combat fires this season"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Fire Services, landowners and the communities are ready for this fire season in the Overberg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So said Reinard Geldenhuys, Fire Protection Officer of the Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association (goFPA) and the Overberg District Municipality\u2019s Chief Fire Officer. The fire season officially started on 1 December for the Western Cape. \u201cHowever, fires never listen and they\u2019ve started prematurely this year,\u201d Geldenhuys said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since November, the Overberg District has already experienced four large wildfires in Grabouw, Bot River, Hermanus and Villiersdorp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added: \u201cWhile we don\u2019t have a crystal ball we do get a lot of information from the SA Weather Service regarding long-term forecasts. We also look at veld age and other factors, and that gives us a good idea of what to expect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe information we\u2019re getting now is that we are to expect below-average rainfall and above-average heat for the next two to three months. In fact, we\u2019re already seeing a difference in veldfire behaviour in these early fires. As the veld dries even more, and with a little bit of wind added, we could be in for a busy fire season.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The flood damage in mountainous areas will also have negative impacts. Many of the roads have washed away and it has been impossible to fix them before the fire season. This will make access to these fires challenging, especially in some of the high-risk areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"

<\/p>\n

Firefighters are up to date with the latest training and firefighting methods.<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Resources in place <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two helicopters and a spotter plane have already been stationed in Bredasdorp for the fire season. \u201cWith our resources and support facilities in place, we\u2019ve done considerable preparation,\u201d said Geldenhuys. \u201cOur fire personnel are up to date with the latest training and information, and our vehicles and aerial resources are ready and in place. So from here we will do whatever we have to this fire season to keep the Overberg safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Louise Wessels, Manager of the goFPA, advises that landowners speak to their insurers to check if everything is in place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou may wish to include \u2018fire suppression insurance\u2019 as well as \u2018risk of spread insurance\u2019. Chat to your insurance broker to understand the options and costs, prevent the spread of, and\/or protect your property from, a wildfire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"

<\/p>\n

ODM Fire and Rescue Services Chief Reinard Geldenhuys.<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Early and accurate reporting is vital<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Geldenhuys reporting a fire \u2013 smoke column or open flames \u2013 immediately and providing the Fire Services with accurate information is vital. \u201cHaving the correct information at hand allows us to dispatch needed resources and get them on scene as quickly as possible. When reporting a fire we ask that you provide us with an exact location (a pin drop works best) and the best-known route to the fire. Other information, such as what is burning, the immediate risks, how quickly it is spreading, how large the fire is and in what direction it is moving, helps us strategise while we\u2019re still en route.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Overberg District Fire Services control room can be reached on 028 425 1690. The Overstrand Fire Service control room number is 028 312 2400. Finally, the goFPA duty phone number is 063 690 7899.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Fire Services, landowners and the communities are ready for this fire season in the 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firefighters ready to combat fires this season | Hermanus Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/hermanustimes\/ready-to-fight-fires-20231212-2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Overberg firefighters ready to combat fires this season\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Fire Services, landowners and the communities are ready for this fire season in the Overberg.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/hermanustimes\/ready-to-fight-fires-20231212-2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Hermanus Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/hermanustimes\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" 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The FDI for Caledon is the highest\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/hermanustimes\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/hermanustimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/608d81c27367425bb223bc86d94292b1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/hermanustimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/608d81c27367425bb223bc86d94292b1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/hermanustimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/608d81c27367425bb223bc86d94292b1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/hermanustimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/608d81c27367425bb223bc86d94292b1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":49659,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/hermanustimes\/caledon-opens-new-fire-station-20221121-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":46832,"position":3},"title":"Caledon opens new fire station","author":"Hermanus Times","date":"23 November 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"The opening of Caledon\u2019s new fire station on Friday 11 November could not have come at a more auspicious time, with the onset of summer and the start of the fire season, particularly in the Overberg district.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/hermanustimes\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/hermanustimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1e86c85f1b914a6c858275b15ab4cf3c.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/hermanustimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1e86c85f1b914a6c858275b15ab4cf3c.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/hermanustimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1e86c85f1b914a6c858275b15ab4cf3c.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, 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