Garden Route District Emergency Communications

Garden Route Emergency Call Centre Advisory: Meiringspoort Pass is currently closed to traffic 27 March 2026 @ 16h25 The Meiringspoort Pass is currently closed to traffic due to a heavy downflow of water. The Tradouws Pass remains open and accessible to motorists. Report emergencies to the Garden Route Emergency Call Centre: 044 805 5071 or WhatsApp 081 709 5193

The Cape Town Weather Office has issued an impact based 𝗙𝗗𝗜>𝟳𝟱 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗩𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 Conditions as follows: 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱: Until 12 March 2026 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱: Hessequa & Oudtshoorn Report weather related incidents to the 𝗚𝗥𝗗𝗠 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝟬𝟰𝟰 𝟴𝟬𝟱 𝟱𝟬𝟳𝟭 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝟬𝟴𝟭 𝟳𝟬𝟵 𝟱𝟭𝟵𝟯.

Garden Route District Wildfire Uodate 7: Gouritsmond, North-East of Gourikwa, Hessequa, 20 February 2026 at 18h15 The wildfire is 100% contained. Crews worked on minor hotspots inside the burned area and extinguished these.

Garden Route District Wildfires Update 6: Melkhoutfontein, Hessequa, 20 February 2026 at 18h15 This wildfire is contained. Minor flare-ups occurred, both on the perimeter and within the burned area, were extinguished.

Watch live: Facebook: facebook.com/events/2809437… YouTube: youtube.com/live/pVJDiV291… #GetItDone

Garden Route District Wildfire Alert 2: Melkhoutfontein, Hessequa, 18 February 2026 at 18h15 The head of the wildfire is currently burning uncontrolled towards farmland in the direction of Hectorskraal.

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝟭: 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗸𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻, 𝗛𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮, 𝟭𝟴 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟲𝗵𝟭𝟱 A wildfire in the Melkhoutfontein area of Hessequa has been declared out of control.

@SimonBotes @KnysnaMuni Please inbox us - we've followed you now.

@GardenRoute_DM @KnysnaMuni Thanks for the message. I can't inbox you my details if you're not following me.

𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 - 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 Shared with permission of the @GardenRoute_DM

@SimonBotes @KnysnaMuni Hi. Please directly contact the State Vet: leana.jansevanrensburg@westerncape.gov.za or inbox us your details? Email and Crll, please. Thank you

@KnysnaMuni @GardenRoute_DM What is Municipality doing to prevent the spread in Garden Route? There are free roaming cattle on N2 at various spots between Knysna & Crags. Have all of these cattle been vaccinated? If not, why not & why are they allowed to roam freely on N2? Kindly provide an update. Thanks

The South African Weather Service has issued a Level 2 warning for Severe Thunderstorms, valid until 20:59 today, 10 February 2026. Greater Oudtshoorn will be affected by the weather conditions. #SAWS #SevereWeatherAlert

Garden Route: Showers and thundershowers are expected from the afternoon where generally 10-30mm is possible. No warnings have been issued for our area. Active showers and thundershowers currently over the City of Cape Town, Overberg, Cape Winelands and Central Karoo. Showers and thunderstorms are only expected for the morning over the City of Cape Town, but further development is expected for the res of the province, apart from the West Coast, for the rest of the day. Warnings are still on track for today.

The South African Weather Service has issued a Level 2 warning for Severe Thunderstorms, valid from today until midnight tomorrow, 5 February 2026. Towns expected to be impacted include Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Bitou and Oudtshoorn. #SAWS #SevereWeatherAlert

Garden Route District Wildfire Alert 2: Matjies Rivier, Oudtshoorn on 31 January 2026 at 14h00 The wildfire has been contained. Mopping-up operations are underway. If you spot a veld or wildfire, please report it immediately to the GRDM Emergency Call Centre on 044 805 5071 or via WhatsApp on 081 709 5193. Issued by GRDM Communications

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝟭: 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗷𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗲𝗿, 𝗢𝘂𝗱𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝟯𝟭 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟮𝗵𝟬𝟬 GRDM Firefighters are currently enroute to a wildfire that is out of control in the Oudtshoorn municipal area. Oudtshoorn Firefighters are currently at the incident and have requested the GRDM to assist. Aerial firefighting resources are on standby should critical infrastructure come under threat. If you spot a veld or wildfire, please report it immediately to the GRDM Emergency Call Centre on 044 805 5071 or via WhatsApp on 081 709 5193. Issued by GRDM Communications

🔥 VERY HOT TO EXTREMELY HOT WEATHER WARNING 🔥 The South African Weather Service has issued an advisory for very hot to extremely hot and uncomfortable conditions expected over parts of the Central Karoo and Little Karoo (Western Cape). 📅 When: From 08:00 on Sunday, 25 January 2026 Until 20:00 on Monday, 26 January 2026 🌡️ What to expect: Daytime temperatures are forecast to reach the mid to high 30s, with some areas experiencing temperatures in the low 40s. ⚠️ Health risks: Extreme heat can reduce the body’s ability to cool itself, increasing the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. ✅ Stay safe: • Drink plenty of water • Avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day • Seek shade or cool environments • Check on children, the elderly, and vulnerable persons For more information and official warnings, visit: weathersa.co.za/home/warnings #ExtremeHeat #HeatWarning #SAWeather #StaySafe #WesternCape

Please see the updated weather advisory valid until 21/12/2026. Klein Karoo will be affected by the hot weather conditions. #WeatherSA #WeatherAlert

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝟭𝟮: 𝗛𝗲𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻, 𝗛𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟱 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗮𝘁 𝟬𝟴𝗵𝟭𝟱 The wildfire is contained. Various counterburns were implemented by Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Fire and Rescue Services yesterday in an effort to keep the fire away from farming infrastructure and structures, as well as keeping the fire east of the Tradouw Pass. At about 00h30 rain started to set in in the area, and as at 07h00 this morning, 35mm of rain was measured. Operational crews are downscaled and a patrolling crew will monitor the area throughout today. Stakeholders involved GRDM, Overberg District Municipality, Hessequa Municipality Fire Brigade Services, CapeNature, Working on Fire, the SCFPA, local landowners, Grootvadersbosch Conservancy, as well as Mr Michael Raimondo, in particular for drone imagery. Community members of Suurbrak are thanked for their assistance with nutrition supplies. If you spot a veld or wildfire, please report it immediately to the GRDM Emergency Call Centre on 044 805 5071 or via WhatsApp on 081 709 5193. Issued by GRDM Communications

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟱 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 @ 𝟬𝟴𝗵𝟰𝟬 According to Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Chief Fire Officer, Deon Stoffels, firefighting resources along the coastal wildfire incidents have been scaled down following widespread rainfall of more than 35 mm in parts of the region, which significantly reduced fire activity. The following wildfires have been declared inactive after being naturally extinguished by rainfall: - Bitou: Fire inactive - Heidelberg (Hessequa): Fire inactive - Pacaltsdorp (George): Fire inactive GRDM Executive Mayor, Marais Kruger, extends his sincere appreciation to every firefighter, disaster management official, and supporting agency member for their dedication, long hours, and commitment in protecting communities, infrastructure and the natural environment during this period of heightened fire risk. While conditions have improved, communities are reminded to remain vigilant. If you spot a veld or wildfire, please report it immediately to the GRDM Emergency Call Centre on 044 805 5071 or via WhatsApp on 081 709 5193. Issued by GRDM Communications

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝟲: 𝗦𝘄𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻, 𝗢𝘂𝗱𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟱 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗮𝘁 𝟬𝟴𝗵𝟬𝟬 The Wildfire remains uncontained. Fire spread down the mountain in a north-western direction, threatening a farm lower down. Crews were in place and stopped the spread in the area. Mopping up are in progress. The fire remains active on the northern slopes above the game farm. The eastern flank spread in the Meiringspoort, however, parts threatening to cross the Poort, were contained. A fire line is still persisting on the eastern flank on the upper rocky slopes. Crews are in place and dealing with accessible fire spread. Stakeholders include GRDM, Oudtshoorn Municipality Fire and Rescue Services, CapeNature, the SANDF, and Working on Fire. If you spot a veld or wildfire, please report it immediately to the GRDM Emergency Call Centre on 044 805 5071 or via WhatsApp on 081 709 5193. Issued by GRDM Communications

𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝟱: 𝗦𝘄𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻, 𝗢𝘂𝗱𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟰 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗮𝘁 𝟮𝟮𝗵𝟰𝟬 The wildfire on the Swartberg Mountain near Oudtshoorn remains uncontained, with active fire behaviour continuing on both the southern and northern slopes. On the southern side, fire activity persists in steep and difficult terrain. Strong south-westerly winds are currently limiting suppression efforts, with active firelines estimated at approximately 3 to 4 km. On the north-western flank, the fireline has spread rapidly downslope and has threatened farming infrastructure. On the eastern flank, the fire raced through a flat valley into Meiringspoort due to strong south-westerly winds of approximately 35 km/h, resulting in temporary traffic delays. Teams from the GRDM, CapeNature, Working on Fire, Oudtshoorn Municipality, Central Karoo District Municipality, and the South African National Defence Force are currently battling the blaze on a game farm and in the Meiringspoort area. If you spot a veld or wildfire, please report it immediately to the GRDM Emergency Call Centre on 044 805 5071 or via WhatsApp on 081 709 5193. Issued by GRDM Communications