#FireSeason 24/25
SUPPORT the #firefighters battling the Overberg Fires
What you need to know this fire season 2024/25:
Landowners in the Overberg have access to operational vehicles and Working on Fire teams during the fire season. Aerial resources will also be based in the Overberg between December and April. They are used in rapid initial attack.
Remember: A responsible person must be present on or nearby your farm throughout the festive season. Ensure your neighbour also knows of your movements. And if a fire starts, contact the fire department immediately.
GO fire prevention
The Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association (goFPA) helps land users predict, prevent, manage and extinguish veldfires. Veldfires move through landscapes – destroying property, livelihoods, biodiversity and sometimes even lives.
20 January 2025
- Bredasdorp 45%
- Caledon 57%
- Gansbaai 53%
- Grabouw 53%
- Hermanus 53%
- Kleinmond 53%
- Swellendam 46%
- Villiersdorp 58%
See the 3-day SAWS weather forecast for Grabouw, Hermanus, Cape Agulhas and Swellendam, including the Fire Danger Index per day here:
Latest veldfires in the Overberg
If any fires flare up in the Overberg, we’ll find out about it soon, and let you know. We constantly update our Facebook page – so check our feed here for the latest fire info. You can let us know if you spot any veldfires – phone us, or message us on social media and we’ll pick up on it.
goFPA on Facebook
#overberg #FDI Summary 20/01/2025 Local Weather Guru. For the South African Weather Services 3-day FDI Forecast click here:www.overbergfpa.co.za
#overberg #fireseason2425 #goFPA Update 19/1/24 16.50
1. #grabouw highlands: The team is making progress stopping the head of fire on the farm Vergelen. The fire lines are still hot and work will continue till late tonight. 17.00 update: 100% contained
2. Grabouw Deff area: This fire was reported earlier today. The Forestry Support Program’s teams are on the lines. It is reported that the fire is burning in young veld. The head of the fire has been stopped and focused on the left flank (closest to infrastructure) Fire efforts are progressing well. Pic 1
3. Bredasdorp/Nachtwacht fire: The spread of the fire was stopped, but unfortunately the area is not fully “closed”. More smoke can be expected. No structure losses reported
4. Genadendal area: The Overberg District Municipality #caledonteam, supported by the Greyton Volunteers, has contained this fire. The fire has been stopped on the Genadendal road. No warnings issued. Pic 2-3 17.00 update: contained
#overberg #fireseason2425 #bredasdorp goFPA update 15.30
Status: 75% contained
This fire was reported just after 13.00 today near the farm Nacthwacht.
Farmers and Overberg District Municipality #bredasdorp team responding. Aerial resources were activated to prevent excessive spread.
Currently, the last area is being closed up. No infrastructure losses were reported. Thx u to all the heavy equipment that came to assist
#overberg #grabouw Highlands area #VeldFire. goFPA update 19/1/25 15.00
Status: not contained
The Overberg District Municipality #grabouw team and landowners have made certain areas safe.
Large area bush, plantation and in between orchards burning. The huge volume of smoke is hampering visibility.
No infrastructure losses reported
#fireseason2425
#FIRESEASON
ALL you need to know
#FIREJARGON 101
OVerberg Residents:
HOW YOU CAN HELP
EVACUATIONS:
WHAT TO PACK
PROTECT YOUR HOME Against veldfire
The do's & don'ts of RED DAYS
your defence strategy: LCES
FIRE INSURANCE:
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
WELCOME TO THE HOME OF THE
GREATER OVERBERG FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION
registered Fire Protection Association of the Overberg
The goFPA helps land users to practice Integrated Fire Management on their land. Through the goFPA, landowners in the Overberg, at the tip of Africa, can now work strategically with partners to better prevent veldfires and react quicker and more effectively to suppress veldfire.
The goFPA operates across the Overberg area in the Western Cape of South Africa, currently covering more than 660,000 hectares (about 60% of the district).
WHAT WE DO
The Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association actively works to prevent and control veldfires during fire season over the hot summer months. A lot of our work takes place before the fire season even starts. We help land users in the Overberg to meet their legal requirements. We provide training to land users and their teams and we facilitate fire management planning, like helping with firebreak planning and the signing of agreements between neighbours. All of this forms part of our Integrated Fire Management assistance.
BECOME A goFPA MEMBER
Land users sign up to the goFPA voluntarily. Signing up is easy.
Members pay an annual fee determined by the size of the property which is used to enhance legal compliance and integrated fire management activities.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR WORLD
Get our latest news here
The benefits of burning: The Amandel Rivier test case
In the Western Cape, fire is often seen as a threat. But sometimes
Fire jargon 101 – What Overberg landowners must know
There are many technical terms used in the fire industry. But each
Restoring nature through fire in the Villiersdorp mountains
A well-coordinated and carefully planned project to restore fynbos and improve water security for Cape
SUPPORT #FIREFIGHTERS BATTLING
THE OVERBERG FIRES.
All funds raised will SUPPORT fire-fighters battling the overwhelming Overberg fires. ALL monies raised will be: – used for making the fire lines more bearable, including; – cellphone airtime to talk to their families at home; – foodstuff like ice to keep their drinks cold, that warm meal to supplement their ration packs, and any other essentials. goFPA is a registered PBO.
GIVE
You can get involved by providing goods to energise our fire-fighters. Here’s a list of non-perishable items you can drop off – that help sustain our fire-fighters working hard to protect our homes and nature
DONATE
Donations are made through the secure PayFast system.
SNAPSCAN
reduction | readiness | response | recovery
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS FOR MEMBERS
CONNECT WITH US
Follow us on
Twitter @OverbergFPA
Facebook @goFPA
Instagram @OverbergFPA
for fire news & updates
and other Partners