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Tsitsikamma Section Of The Garden Route National Park Conducts Prescribed Ecological Burn
A prescribed ecological burn of approximately 800 ha of fynbos is scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, 08 May 2025, in the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park. It is a joint operation between South African National Parks (SANParks) and Mountain To Ocean (MTO) Group, with assistance from the Southern Cape Fire Protection Association, Working on Fire, and Bitou Local Municipality. The 800-ha block of fynbos is situated North-east of The Crags, and North-west of Nature’s Valley Rest Camp (De Vasselot).
The ignition is scheduled to start between 08:00 and 09:00, with operations expected to conclude by 17:00 on the same day. More than 200 personnel will be deployed, and aerial support will be on standby to assist as needed.
Fire plays a critical role in the ecology of fynbos vegetation, serving as a natural disturbance agent that maintains biodiversity and supports vital ecological processes. Prescribed burns also help reduce the build-up of fuel loads, thereby lowering the risk of uncontrolled wildfires that threaten human lives, infrastructure, and the environment.
These planned burns are typically carried out during the summer and autumn seasons, which favour post-fire regeneration of fynbos species. If fynbos does not burn often enough, proteas and other species get too old and their reproductive ability declines substantially, but if fynbos burns too often, reseeding shrubs can be lost and resprouting species and alien species can take over. Following a fire, reseeding fynbos species release their seeds, and seeds from ericas, restios, proteas and other fynbos species are more likely to germinate after they have been exposed to smoke.
Weather forecasts for tomorrow, 08 May 2025, predict warm conditions with minimal wind, favourable for the burn. Residents in Plettenberg Bay and surrounding areas are advised that increased smoke will be visible throughout the day and should not be a cause for concern.
SANParks appreciates the public’s cooperation and understanding during this essential ecological operation.