Garden Route National Park Operations Amid Ongoing Severe Weather
The Garden Route region continues to experience heavy rainfall, although wind conditions have subsided compared to yesterday, 11 May 2026. Damage asse...
Media Release: Raging fires in the Southern Cape – Garden Route National Park
Some 3000 hectares of Park land in the Garden Route National Park have burnt down close to The Craggs (about 20kms outside the Coastal town of Plettenberg Bay). Currently there is an 11kms long active fire line. The fire started on private land on Monday and jumped to the National Park.�
According to the Incident Commander – Dirk Smith from the Southern Cape FPA: The western and eastern flank as well as the head of the fire is a major concern. We current have 180 firefighters on the fire line, including three tanker, as well as close to 20 management staff in control of this fire. The fire has burnt mainly fynbos areas where there are no structures.�
The extent of the fire and multiple risks have resulted in the area being declared a fire disaster area in order to access additional resources. The PDMC has therefore requested the services of Oryx2 (South African National Deference Force) to join the existing fire combating resources. Heavy smoke is impeding visibility so that it is unclear what the head of the fire is doing. There is currently no indication of when the fire might be contained as it may take months to deal with suppression and mop up.�
However, with wind travelling at 50 km/h and only 10ml of rain expected today, so the risk continues. According the the SA Weather Services, 30% chance of rain is expected in hope that it would assist with the multiple fires.�
National Deployment Teams from Working on Fire have been placed on standby. Three Teams of close to 70 firefighters from the Free State are expected to arrive today to assist the JOC.�
A Joint Operating Center (JOC) was established where the FPS, Southern Cape FPA (SCFPA), SANParks, MTO, Bitou Municipality, Local Fire authorities from Askop Crags and Plett South FMUs, who played a major role since the �the Provincial Disaster Management Center (PDMC), Working on fire and volunteers are coordinating resources and strategies towards fighting the fire.�
Thank you to the local community for the donations that have been given thus far. Drop off points for donations is at The Craggs Forward Control Point (The Craggs Fire Base).
Issued:
On behalf of all Partners involved.�
Media Enquiries:�
Lauren Howard – Working on Fire�
07111 55 843�
Nandi Mgwadlamba
SANParks Communications Manager�
078 702 9663