Home » Update on Somerset West Fire: Evacuations & Help Needed

Update on Somerset West Fire: Evacuations & Help Needed

Residents are currently being evacuated from farms and homes in areas of Somerset West in South Africa, and help is urgently needed – especially bakkies and horseboxes. An alarm about the #Helderberg fire being out of control has been posted on social media, with calls for bakkies needed to help with evacuation in Sir Lowry’s […]

By SAPeople
04-01-17 11:39
in Eish!

Residents are currently being evacuated from farms and homes in areas of Somerset West in South Africa, and help is urgently needed – especially bakkies and horseboxes.

An alarm about the #Helderberg fire being out of control has been posted on social media, with calls for bakkies needed to help with evacuation in Sir Lowry’s Pass.

Wilderness Search and Rescue is asking the general public to help evacuate people in the Knorhoek Valley due to the fire in Somerset West.

Smile 90.4fm DJ, Gavin Arends also tweeted late tonight:”Horseboxes desperately needed in @Somerset_West. Non-perishables to #StrandFireStation.”

Please contact the relevant authorities if you can help.

South African Police Services (SAPS) is urging residents to please avoid Sir Lowry’s Pass and Old Sir Lowry’s Pass village roads as residents are being evacuated from the devastating fires.

According to latest updates, the fire in Somerset West is out of control and helicopters have had to be withdrawn due to high winds and turbulence near the mountains.

Earlier today fire devastated Bezweni Lodge in Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, Somerset West; and tonight it has been reported that some homes in Wedderwill Estate have burned. Residents have been evacuated.

There are currently multiple fires burning in the Somerset West area, and with the Cape Doctor howling today… large clouds of smoke blew over Cape Town today creating an eerie but beautiful sunset.

A temperature drop did help the team to progress earlier, according to Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association and Kleinmond is now safe.

BUT according to Jacques Weber there is now fire on De Waal Drive. See video below. All services are on the scene. The South Easter is not relenting.

To assist the firefighters tackling the Somerset West fires, please drop off water and non-perishable food at Strand Fire Department.

Predicted temperatures for the next few days are in the late 20s and early 30s with a drop in winds tomorrow, but strong gale force winds expected on Thursday, and no rain in sight.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the brave men and women fighting these fires tonight. Thank you.

Update Wednesday 4 January 2017: Incredible photos as firefighters battle to contain Somerset West, Western Cape Fires

Wildfire next to De Waal Drive Tuesday night:

https://twitter.com/JadevanBiljon/status/816373712056356864

https://twitter.com/Sula1968/status/816374579887120386

https://www.instagram.com/p/BO0MUBXBf1r/

Watch Video of Somerset West Fire 2017 in dedication to all the hardworking men and women out there tonight: