This multi-day veldfire was the first for the official Overstrand fire season 2024/25. Smoke was reported early morning on Sunday 17 November 2024 in the Hemel and Aarde Valley. Access to the fire lines, dense vegetation and steep slopes were reported as the initial limitations and risk factors. The Overstrand Municipality was assisted by multiple agencies including VWS, WoF, Kishugu Aerial Resources, Overberg District Municipality, goFPA, HARSA and other private landowners. This veldfire continued to burn until 20 November 2024, and teams continued to monitor and put out hotspots for the rest of the week. 

Stormsvlei Veldfire

This veldfire was reported to have started on 9 December 2024 in the Cape Winelands District area. Overberg Fire responded as the closest resource. Private landowners and aerial resources were also requested to assist in the containment efforts. Direct and indirect firefighting methods were used to contain this fire to an area of 190 hectares.

This veldfire was reported just after midnight in the early hours of Christmas Day (25/12/2024). The fire burnt out of control and rapidly towards Rotary Way above North Cliff Hermanus. Immediate assistance from the Overberg District Municipality was requested and the goFPA was asked to notify landowners along the Hemel and Aarde Valley. WOF and NCC provided ground crews and Kishugu Aerial Resources also provided support at the fire. 

This veldfire was reported by Swellendam SAPS in the early hours of 25 December 2024. On arrival, it was reported that it was a small area alight and was quickly contained. At around 13:30 on the same day, the area re-ignited and burned towards the mountain and both sides of the Boskloof road. Aerial resources and ground crew, together with FMU members, assisted in containing this fire to 889 hectares. Direct and indirect methods were used.

This veldfire burnt under an Eskom line towards Voëlklip – Hermanus just after midnight on 29 December 2024 under erratic wind conditions. Aerial resources were requested and assisted from first light. 

This veldfire was reported at around 16:45 on 29 December 2024, and was burning on the Napier Mountain next to the Sentech Tower road. Overberg District Municipality Fire, goFPA and landowners responded immediately. Aerial support was activated and together the fire was contained by 19:30. Overberg Fire resources, assisted by the landowner, continued with mopping up. An area of 13 hectares was burnt.

Theewaterskloof Veldfire

This veldfire was reported to be burning outside Villiersdorp around 16:00 on 29 December 2024. The fire spread rapidly and burned both sides of the R45 when teams arrived there. CapeNature, aerial resources and extra ground teams were requested to assist immediately. Teams made good progress, but there was a flare-up due to strong winds on one of the lines on the second day of the fire. This fire remained active for several days and was eventually contained to an area of 5,116 hectares by 3 January 2025.

This veldfire was reported around 13:20 on 30 December 2024. On arrival, it was reported that the weather conditions were erratic, with wind that changed constantly. This area had an extremely dangerous (RED) fire danger index on this day. Several structures were under threat. Ground teams did structural protection, and the head of the fire burned in the direction of young veld. The fire was later reported to be contained to an area of 462 hectares. Teams continued with mop-up work.

This veldfire burnt in the Dunes between Stanford and Gansbaai on 5 January 2025. Initial feedback by first responders was that the fire had the ability to spread and burn in a high-risk area. The fire was burning in old (unburnt) vegetation in between two burnscars of 2023 and early 2024. Aerial resources were called in to assist the Overstrand Municipality with this fire. 

Bredasdorp Mierkraal Veldfire

This veldfire was reported at around 10:00 on 9 January 2025 close to the Bredasdorp – Elim turn off on the R43. The fire was burning across the R43 resulting in the R43 (Elim road) being closed to traffic. The Overberg District was supported by private landowners, Working on Fire and NCC. Late on 9 January, it was reported that the fire was burning in dense vegetation over a large area. On 10 January, the fire was reported to be partly contained up to 90%. On 12 January 2025, the fire was reported to be contained after it burned over an estimated 1 508 hectares.

This veldfire was reported around 21:00 on 15 January 2025 and was burning at the foot of the Houwhoek Pass close to Botriver. On arrival, it was reported that there was no access to the fire for vehicles, and fire crews would go in on foot to put out the fire. Fortunately, due to the low and rocky vegetation and little wind, the crews could contain the fire by 22:30. The crew continued with mop-up work for the rest of the night.

De Kelders Veldfire

This veldfire burnt close to De Kelders around 13:00 on 16 January 2025. Initial reports were that the veldfire was spreading rapidly toward the houses, and there was no access to the fire. Because of the risk of spread toward De Kelders, aerial resources were dispatched immediately. A chopper and bomber plane and FMU members assisted Overstrand Fire in containing this veldfire. At around 14:30, the fire was reported to be confined to a two-hectare block, and teams continued with mop-up.

Uilenkraal Veldfire

This veldfire was reported around 11:37 am and was burning on CapeNature’s Uilkraalsmond Nature Reserve on 17 January 2025. Due to the dense alien invasive veld, access to the fire was difficult. Two choppers and a bomber plane assisted in containing this fire. Aggressive fire suppression prevented damage to the structures at Duine Fontein Pub, and the R43 was closed for some time due to limited visibility caused by smoke. The fire eventually jumped the R43 and burned towards the Uilkraalsmond lagoon. This veldfire was eventually contained by using direct and indirect firefighting techniques over an area of 45 hectares. The perimeters of this fire remained hot with the potential to flare up the next day, while islands on the inside burned themselves out.

Hawston Veldfire

This veldfire was the second veldfire on 17 January 2025 at around 15:10. This veldfire burned around the Hoek van De Berg area towards Hawston. With resources already stretched and assisting at another fire, the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) was dispatched from Stellenbosch to assist in containing this fire. Due to a combined effort, this veldfire only burnt five hectares.

Kleinmond Veldfire

This veldfire was reported burning just outside of Kleinmond at around 20:22 on 30 January 2025. The fire was reported to burn in an inaccessible area close to the R44 and infrastructure. Possible evacuation notices were sent out but there was no need for evacuation as the fire was contained in the early hours of 31 January 2025. A total area of six hectares burnt during this fire.

Caledon Quarry Veldfire

This veldfire was reported to be burning close to the quarry above Caledon on 30 January 2025. Conditions allowed fire services to make use of direct and indirect firefighting methods on the day. Several ignition points were reported on 1 February 2025 in the same area. Theewaterskloof law enforcement and traffic were requested to assist in regulating traffic and control access. Private landowners used heavy machinery to assist in making control lines. This veldfire burned actively over 241 ha for several days.

This veldfire was reported to be burning on DFFEs Highlands property next to Iona on 31 January 2025. This is an unmanaged pine plantation area with large amounts of dry cut material due to illegal wood harvesting. An NCC ground team was requested to assist Overberg Fire and FMU members in bringing this fire under control. The fire was contained to a three-hectare area. This area remained hot the next day as teams continued with mop-up work.

Highlands Veldfire 2

This veldfire was reported to burn on DFFEs Highlands property on 15 February 2025. On arrival, it was reported that the dry cut material was the biggest limitation in containing this fire, as the fire spread onto the CapeNature property. Overberg Fire, Working on Fire, CapeNature and private landowners continued to fight this fire on 16 February. This veldfire reignited on the morning of 17 February in the DFFE plantation. Overstrand Fire spent the day assisting in containing the area that had reignited. An area of 244 hectares of plantation and fynbos burned over the three days.

Old Mac Daddy Veldfire

This veldfire burnt on municipal property near the Gansbaai dumping site, starting at around 15:33 on 27 February 2025. This fire was reported to burn rapidly in the direction of Gansbaai, and aerial resources were requested and dispatched immediately. Access to the fire was the biggest challenge. The R43 was closed intermittently due to poor visibility caused by heavy smoke. During this veldfire, two houses sustained minor damage, one fire tanker from Overstrand Fire sustained minor fire damage, and the Eskom transmission lines suffered significant damage. Direct and indirect methods were used to contain the fire spread within a block of around 161 hectares.

Highlands Veldfire 3

This veldfire was reported to be burning at the foot of the mountain close to De Kelders at around 15:00 on 8 March 2025. Aerial resources were dispatched at the request of the landowner due to the possibility of the spread into the mountain. Thanks to the quick response and dedicated work of the ground crew and aerial support, the fire was confined within a block of about seven hectares. Mop-up and monitoring operations continued throughout the night.

AFB Overberg Veldfire