All controlled burning of land in the Garden Route is prohibited.
Controlled burns are not permitted to be done by any person other than the fire control authorities.
It has come under the attention of the Garden Route DM Joint Operations Centre (JOC) that some land owners are attempting to start controlled burns.
Everyone needs to adhere to these precautionary measures until further notice.
The municipality appeals to all people who live, work and visit the area to exercise extreme caution at all times; to make fires in protected and designated areas only, and to dispose of cigarette butts safely. There is a long, hot summer ahead and we need everyone to help in keeping our region safe.
For more information regarding fire permits, contact:
George – 044 801 6300
Hessequa – 028 713 8000
Mossel Bay – 044 606 5107
Kannaland – 044 805 5071
Oudtshoorn – 044 203 8911
Knysna – 044 302 8911
Bitou – 044 533 5000
For enquiries relating to wildfires, contact the Garden Route DM JOC on 044 805 5071.
It has come under the attention of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) that the public is concerned about smoke emissions in the Knysna municipal area. These emissions are caused by biomass burning at Geelhoutvlei Timbers. This area contains pine wood chips from untreated wood only. No arsenic or treated wood products are stored at the facility and the smoldering is caused by the burning of wood chips. It was already burning before the wildfire destroyed the wood mill.
The pollutants emitted by this smoldering area is mainly Oxides of Nitrogen, particulate matter, Carbon monoxide, CO2 and small concentrations of volatile organic compounds – these compounds normally form part of the pollutants emitted when biomass burns. The fire poses no severe health threat to the surrounding communities but will result in a nuisance effect, depending on the distance from the source, the wind speed and or direction thereof.
During a joint operations meeting held this morning, 13 November 2018, at GRDM, a decision was taken that the owners of Geelhoutvlei Timbers should be informed that this situation is triggering a National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998 (as amended), Section 30 incident. Section 30 incidents involves, amongst others, the unexpected, sudden and uncontrolled release from a major emission such as a fire. The responsible person in terms of Section 30 is the owner of the property – in this case, Geelhoutvlei Timbers. Subsequently, the owner of the property must take all reasonable measures to contain and minimize the effects of the incident, undertake clean-up procedures and remedy the effect of the incident.
If the property owners do not respond to this instruction, the relevant authority may follow steps and implement measures it considers necessary to contain and minimize the effects of the incident. This involves the undertaking of clean-up operations and remedy the effects of the incident. Government may claim for the reimbursement of all reasonable costs incurred at the scene, in terms of subsection (8) of the National Environmental Management Act from the responsible person.
On Wednesday 24 October a fire in the Harold area was reported to the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Disaster Management Centre (DMC) but at that point in time all available resources was still tied up at a fire raging at Vermaaklikheid.
Teams from the George Municipality responded to this fire and were joined by teams from the GRDM on the following day. The magnitude of the incident, as well as the potential risk of the fire led to the establishment of an Incident Management Team (IMT) and a Forward Control Point (FCP) was established at Witfontein. In addition to the Harold/George fire this IMT was informed of another fire on SANParks ground near Farleigh. San Parks informed the IMT that this fire is managed by their staff and was under control.
The fire spread in the Outeniqua Pass in areas not accessible by foot and was spreading towards the George Municipal area. One South African National Defense Force (SANDF) Oryx helicopter, two aerial tractors (fixed wing aircraft designed to bomb water) as well as two Huey helicopters from Working on Fire (WoF) and one private helicopter, were contracted to assist with firefighting operations. Unfortunately, at critical times during the firefighting operations, these resources could not be activated due to poor visibility making it impossible to use aerial resources.
The first areas threatened, included settlements on the northern side of the mountain. These included Waboomskraal, Eselsjacht, Harold and Louvain. Extremely dry and windy conditions led to the rapid spread of this wildfire endangering George from the North on Monday 29 October 2018 leading to the call of voluntary evacuations in various areas of the town.
By Monday evening, 29 October 2018, 262 people were evacuated to the George Civic Centre (121 children, 137 adults, 11 elderly) in addition 133 students evacuated from the Nelson Mandela University campus in George (NMU). They were housed by Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) in George. The people evacuated in George were advised that they could return to their houses once the smoke has cleared and the area became safe.
In addition to the Harold/George wildfire, lightning during late Monday afternoon ignited wildfires in the following areas:
Hessequa municipal area: Grootvadersbosch, Garcia Pass,
Knysna municipal area : De Vlugt,
Mossel Bay municipal area: Jonkersberg,
Kannaland municipal area: Opsoek in the Swartberg mountains.
The Outeniqua mountain was once a lush-green sight for travelers and residents of the Garden Route – but now it has been left lifeless.
Around this time, the IMT was also informed that the wildfires on the Eastern Cape border near Stormsriver was completely out of control and the N2 would have had to be closed off periodically.
Due to gale force winds in the Karatara area (wind speed measured on the site reached 109 km/h), the wildfire on SANParks ground spread past the natural vegetation (normally seen as a wildfire break) and surprised the residents at Farleigh “ Bosdorp” Unfortunately 8 lives were lost when 13 of the 28 houses at the Bosdorp were completely destroyed.
The Department of Social Services personnel have been rendering trauma counselling to the bereaved as well as those traumatised by the wildfires. SASSA will assist where possible.
During the entire incident the Department of Education has arranged for school children to stay by safe school grounds until conditions at home turned back to ”normal”. They also provided accommodation at hostels for grade 12 learners who could have been affected by the wildfires where they resided – these learners are busy with their final-year exams at the moment.
During Monday afternoon on 29 October 2018, the Eskom powerlines providing power to Knysna, Bitou as well as Oudtshoorn, were affected by the wildfires which led to these areas being without power for a short period of time. Fortunately, the electricity was back up before the evening. On Wednesday, 31 October 2018, the power supply to the NMU was re- connected. Yesterday, for a second time, the power supply to Oudtshoorn had to be cut as teams had to work directly under the high voltage lines in the Highlands Lodge area (Waboomskraal). The power was partially re-connected at 17h00 yesterday afternoon.
On Sunday evening 28 October 2018, the wildfires posed a real threat to the George waterworks but with well-timed back-burns this threat was eliminated.
Most of the patients treated by the George hospital and clinics were due to smoke inhalation. Two of the people injured at the Karatara wildfire are still being treated at the George Hospital.
Yesterday, 4 November 2018, the main areas of concern included the:
northern flank moving towards Highlands lodge and farms in the Langkloof;
western flank moving towards the main power supply line of Oudtshoorn;
active fire line on the East at Buffelsnek/ Keurbooms River mowing towards the Kransbos community; and
Garcia plantation wildfire.
Structures lost to date:
Ou Tolhuis on Montagu Pass;
Beervlei: three (3) structures completely destroyed and 8 badly damaged;
Protea Valley: 6 structures destroyed (they were empty);
Garden Route District Municipality and Local Municipalities in the region, would like to advise residents and visitors that the discharge of fireworks from any area (including your own backyard) is not permitted at any time. Discharging of any firecrackers or emergency flares for celebratory purposes are also prohibited.
We would also like to appeal to residents and visitors not to use so-called ‘Chinese lanterns’ as these pose a significant fire risk.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) also asks people not to use sky lanterns as they float out to sea and are often reported as emergency flares, which in turn cause Sea Rescue hours of fruitless searching.
Let us work together to make these fire season safe for all.
Please report the setting off of fireworks or the trade of fireworks to the following numbers:
Mossel Bay – 044 606 5107
George – 044 801 6301
Oudtshoorn – 044 203 7800
Bitou – 044 533 5000
Knysna – 044 302 8911
Hessequa – 084 014 1828 / 028 713 8000
Kannaland – 044 805 5071
Garden Route District Municipality Emergency Call Centre – 044 805 5071
The Garden Route and Klein Karoo Regional Tourism office hereby confirms and assures the travel trade, business interests, government and the public that we are open for business. Communities in and around Knysna, George and Hessequa area have been affected by devastating wildfires, but we confirm that the situation is under control. Humanitarian work has commenced in all the affected areas and displaced families are being well looked after.
All the towns in the region are fully functional and ready to assist with tour groups and visitors to the areas.
For more information about things to do in each town, please contact the following Local Tourism Offices:
Knysna Tourism 044 382 5510
Mossel Bay Tourism 044 619 2202
George Tourism 044 801 9295
Plettenberg Bay Tourism 044 533 4065
Ladismith Tourism 028 551 1378
Oudtshoorn Tourism 044 279 2532
Hessequa Tourism 028 713 7829
Calitzdorp Tourism 044 213 3775
To see what the Garden Route & Klein Karoo has on offer, visit: www.facebook.com/grandkk
For official communication about wildfires in the region, “like” the following page: www.facebook.com/gardenroutedm
Prestigious Wilderness Blue Flag Once Again to Fly during the 2018/19 Blue Flag Season
The Garden Route District Municipality is proud to announce that the Wilderness Blue Flag beach has been awarded Pilot Status and will be flying its flag once again during the 2018/19 Blue Flag season. The Garden Route District Municipality, George Municipality and the South African National Parks (SANParks) are committed to the Blue Flag programme, and have put resources together to work towards the goal of achieving compliance of the Wilderness beach with the strict WESSA Blue Flag criteria, and together ensured the successful Pilot status achieved by the beach.
The official Wilderness season period will be running from the 1st of December 2018 to the 31st of January 2019.
For the coming Blue Flag season, a total of 66 Blue Flags were awarded by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) nationally, consisting of 46 beaches, eight marinas and 12 sustainable tourism boats. Within the Garden Route District, the beaches that were awarded Blue Flag status were the Natures Valley, Singing Kettle, the Waves, the Dunes, the Lookout beach, Robberg 5 (Bitou area), Buffalo Bay, Brenton on Sea (Knysna area), De Bakke, Little Brak, Hartenbos, Santos (Mossel Bay area), and the Lappiesbaai, Preekstoel, Gouritsmond and Witsand (Hessequa area) beaches, as well as the Wilderness (George), Glentana (Mossel Bay), Jongensfontein and Still Bay west (Hessequa) beaches which were awarded Pilot Blue flag status.
During the coming 2018/19 season, the Wilderness beach will be in full compliance with the Blue Flag criteria by ensuring high standards of water quality monitoring, public safety and lifeguard services, and well maintained coastal amenities, amongst others. The Blue Flag recognition is regarded by the World Tourism Organisation as the most well-known international eco-label and gives local and foreign visitors the knowledge that these beaches are clean, environmentally sound, and adhering to international safety and other tourist standards.
The voluntary Blue Flag eco-label is given to beaches that meet 33 main criteria which is spanning four aspects of coastal management, such as water quality; environmental education and information, environmental management as well as safety and services. The Garden Route District Municipality is continuously striving to provide top quality services to its community and is proud to assure a world class Wilderness beach. Through its commitment to the Blue Flag programme, the Municipality demonstrates a clear coastal vision to conserve our coastal resources and heritage.
The month of October brings to the fore a much-thought about topic, but not much of a talked-about topic – mental health. During October, the objective of not only educating the public about mental health is important, but also to reduce the stigma and discrimination that a person with a temporary or chronic mental illness is often subjected to.
AN ESTIMATED 400 MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE SUFFER FROM MENTAL OR NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS OR FROM PSYCHOSOCIAL PROBLEMS.
These also include disorders related to alcohol and drug abuse.
Like physical disorders mental and brain disorders vary in severity. There are those that are:
– Transient (like an acute stress disorder)
– Periodic (like bipolar disorder, characterised by periods of exaggerated elation followed by periods of depression)
– Long lasting and progressive (like Alzheimer’s disease)
– Other conditions include:
• Schizophrenia
• Dementia,
• Depressive disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Panic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
So, when we talk about health, we can’t just focus on heart health, or liver health, or brain health – what about “whole health”. You have to see the whole person and make use of the tools and resources that benefit minds and bodies together.
A 23-minute interview with Oprah shows that people from all walks of life can experience something that many of us might think only affect a certain race, age, social or economic profile.
28 September 2018 – Garden Route District Municipality (Garden Route DM) and George Airport signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signifying a commitment to enhance connectivity between national gateways, cities and surrounding areas through a 3-phase collaborative project.
After signing the MOU, Mr Charles Shilowa, Airports Company South Africa’s (ACSA) Group Executive Business Development, said: “A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. There have been ongoing discussions between the ACSA team and Garden Route DM about access to the George Airport, which serves as a gateway to this district. The Airport is strategically positioned for economic activity, and this is one of the reasons why a partnership between ACSA and Garden Route DM – will ensure that the aspirations stimulating economic growth in the region are realised. This will be achieved as we continue to work together”.
The first phase commenced when the MOU was signed by (fltr), ACSA Group Executive: Business Development, Mr Charles Shilowa; Garden Route DM Municipal Manager, Mr Monde Stratu; George Airport Manager, Ms Brenda Vorster and Garden Route DM Executive Mayor, Cllr Memory Booysen.
The three phases will involve the following:
Phase 1
Scoping of key new or existing air routes on a regional, national and intercontinental level, which will see trade and tourism enhanced; and
A project team will be appointed to compile a list of business cases that focus on target markets and prospective markets that could be reached by a non-stop air service.
Phase 2
The analysis of potential markets;
The identification of potential airline partners;
Research and development for the airlift strategy;
A 3-year implementation plan for the establishment of new routes linking the Western Cape to other provinces and contents; and
The establishment of the Steering and Project Committees through the nomination of representatives by all stakeholders.
Phase 3
The implementation of the identified route opportunities;
The development of incentive schemes for the latter; and
The possibility of involving more direct private sector participation in the project.
Mr Monde Stratu, Garden Route DM Municipal Manager, also hinted at ACSA’s leadership to think about how the renaming of George Airport to Garden Route International Airport would affect the region. “When selling and marketing the region as a tourism destination and investment hub, it makes sense to speak from the same book,” said Stratu. He also made it clear that there is no obligation on any business to change their name, but that “there is every reason, for if you think about it, in marketing and strategy, to align oneself to this new name”.
ACSA owns and manages 9 airports, three national and 6 regional airports. George Airport currently forms part of the 6 regional airports. Airports Council International last year, awarded the George Airport with “Service” and “Safety” awards. This was done after comparing the airport to the rest of the African continent. This means that the George Airport is considered as one of the best regional airports in Africa.
