News24 | Firefighter crews make breakthrough at Pearly Beach, but Stanford blaze rages into fifth day

The Eluxolweni community in Pearly Beach, which was evacuated twice in the past week, is now out of immediate danger.

• For the first time in eight days, firefighters contained the wildfire in the Pearly Beach area, with no active fire lines and no immediate threat to homes.
• Mop-up operations are continuing, although crews remain on high alert due to dense alien vegetation and the flare-up risk.
• However, the Stanford wildfire has entered its fifth day and remains out of control.

Firefighters in the Pearly Beach area have, for the first time in eight days, successfully contained the wildfire, marking a breakthrough for exhausted crews battling multiple blazes across the Overstrand Municipality.

A slightly relieved Overstrand municipal manager, Dean O’Neill, said fire crews made significant progress overnight along the Groeneweide and Panorama boundary.

“The left flank’s active fire line has been contained, and mop-up operations will continue. The right flank is expected to burn out against an old burn scar from the recent De Kelders fire,” O’Neill said.

He warned, however, that the risk of flare-ups remains high due to dense alien vegetation and strong winds.

“The fuel load remains high, which is conducive to flare-ups under windy conditions. Firefighters and landowners will remain on high alert for any signs of smoke or flames,” he said.

At this stage, there are no active fire lines in Pearly Beach, and there is no immediate threat to homes. Crews will continue to monitor and conduct mop-up operations.

READ | Man dies in separate house fire as Stanford wildfires force evacuations

In contrast, however, the wildfire in Stanford has entered its fifth day and remains uncontrolled.

“The Stanford fire remains challenging, with renewed efforts focusing on inaccessible areas of old alien vegetation and fynbos where active fire lines are still persisting,” O’Neill said.

All roads affected by the Pearly Beach and Stanford fires, including the R43 between Stanford, Gansbaai and Pearly Beach, have been reopened. However, the municipality cautioned that roads may be closed at short notice should conditions deteriorate.

The fire has severely impacted the Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary in Stanford, forcing the cancellation of visits and the relocation of animals to other facilities. Two lions, Lei-ah and Elsa, arrived safely at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in the Free State after more than 15 hours on the road, the sanctuary confirmed on Sunday.

“This was not a decision made lightly. Many factors were considered, but at the heart of it all was one simple truth: We must always do what is best for the animals in our care,” said Panthera Africa co-founder Cathrine Nyquist.

“Their safety and well-being will always come first.”

The Eluxolweni community, which was evacuated twice in the past week, is now out of immediate danger, although thick smoke continues to hang over the area. An ambulance has been deployed to respond to potential smoke inhalation emergencies.

An Oryx helicopter will continue to provide additional aerial support to firefighting efforts in the Overstrand.

So far, the municipality confirmed that two structures have been destroyed, and two others partially damaged. It stated that complete damage assessments have not yet commenced due to ongoing fire activity and unsafe conditions.