Mossel Bay wildfire: Emergency services tackle ongoing blaze
Emergency services remain vigilant in Mossel Bay as mop-up operations commence following the stabilisation of the wildfire.
Image: Supplied
Mop-up operations are under way in Mossel Bay after a fire stop was called in the early hours of Thursday.
The fire has raged in the municipality since Monday afternoon, and fire crews remain on scene after having tended to the inferno following a flare-up on Wednesday morning.
On Thursday morning, the Mossel Bay Municipality said the Joint Operations Centre (JOC), coordinating the collaborative firefighting effort which started on January 5, 2026, held its first briefing for the day at 7am.
The municipality confirmed a fire stop was called today, January 8, 2026.
Members of the Garden Route District Municipality fire crew were busy with mop-up operations in Klipheuwel Street, which was one of the big challenges during yesterday's operations.
“The implementation of aerial firefighting has proved invaluable during the past two days as fire crews faced challenging conditions – strong to gale force winds and inaccessible terrain – in Aalwyndal, Island View and Vogelsang (Vakansieplaas). Aerial resources deployed included two helicopters, one waterbomber airplane, and one spotter airplane, under the command of the Garden Route District Municipality. Various water sources in the area surrounding the fire site were utilised – including swimming pools, dams, and rivers,” the municipality said.
Mop-up operations are currently under way in Mossel Bay following a significant wildfire that began on Monday. Emergency services are working tirelessly to control flare-ups while coordinating efforts with multiple agencies to ensure the safety of residents and wildlife.
Image: Mossel Bay Municipality / Facebook
A grader and backhoe loader, both provided by volunteer services from Mossel Bay, assisted in creating fire breaks.
The municipality confirmed the fire is under control, but not yet fully contained, with only one injury reported (a female minor) in Vakansieplaas.
“Active multi-agency firefighting continues in Aalwyndal and surrounds, involving volunteers (neighbourhood watch groups, NSRI), Working on Fire, Mossel Bay and Garden Route District, Hessequa and George Municipality fire crews. Flare-ups and spot fires are attended to. Wind direction and topography continue to present challenging conditions to fire crews,” the municipality shared in an update.
On Wednesday afternoon, a number of elderly residents had to be evacuated as a precautionary measure. They were moved to the ATKV Hartenbos.
Marko Claassen, superintendent for the Tactical Response and By-Law Enforcement, confirmed the successful implementation of road closures and access control in the affected areas.
Claassen also confirmed in a briefing that they assisted with the safe, precautionary evacuation of 24 elderly residents and nine nursing staff members from Adler’s Nest.
The Mossel Bay Municipality, together with partners and community organisations, is coordinating donations to assist families and emergency personnel affected by the recent fires.
For assistance and information - call Lucinda Laing - 044 606 5000 or send an email to [email protected]
Drop‑off points for donations:
- Mossel Bay Fire Station (for emergency personnel)
- Bean Blessed Coffee Shop, Marsh Street, Mossel Bay
- Pick n Pay, Langeberg Mall
- Hartenbos Seefront (clothing and bedding)
- Pick n Pay, Seefront (food and toiletries)
- Hartenbos Dierehospitaal (animal food)
- SPCA, Mossel Bay (animal food)