As temperatures cooled down in the Mossel Bay area, the municipality confirmed that it will take advantage of the cooler weather and drop in wind potency today to further secure the fire line.

On Thursday evening, all running fire lines were stopped and active mopping up operations continued.

Currently, the fire area is stretched over approximately 23 square kilometres, with the most active hotspots being monitored at the elevated area near Vakansieplaas, N2 (Voorbaai). 

The municipality confirmed that fire crews are still fully deployed. During briefings held on Thursday night, the municipality said the main focus points will be tending to any areas showing smouldering embers and hotspots, which have been successfully implemented.

Earlier today, the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) held a briefing and an update was given to the Western Cape MEC of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell.

Bredell joined the JOC meeting this morning, along with Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Marais Kruger and Hessequa Executive Mayor Grant Riddles.

“All available water sources will be utilised today to create a wet line of several metres around the fire perimeter,” the municipality said. 

More than 70 firefighters are on the ground and no further structure or property loss has occurred since January 6.

In the continued firefighting efforts, additional resources were dispatched, including support from Hessequa and George municipalities. 

This includes multiple water sources, such as refilling with grey water from the regional wastewater works, additional water tankers, farmers associations from all over the greater Mossel Bay with water resources (among other, more than 13 bakkies with 1,000l water tanks).

chevon.booysen@inl.co.za

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