Mossel Bay community opens homes as devastating wildfires destroy properties

WHILE many Mossel Bay residents have lost everything in the recent wildfires, the disaster has also brought the community together, with locals opening their homes, businesses, and animal shelters to support those in need.

- NICOLA DANIELS

Residents in Island View, Vakansieplaas, and Aalwyndal were evacuated from their homes on Tuesday, after vegetation fires spread amid strong winds. Several structures were destroyed in the blaze.

By Wednesday afternoon, the municipality reported a child was injured in Vakansieplaas, while multi-agency firefighting efforts continued in Aalwyndal and surrounding areas, with crews managing regular flareups. Three firefighters also sustained injuries during firefighting operations.

“The fire originated in a farming area adjacent to the N2 on the right, in the direction of Cape Town, on 5 January 2025. Adverse weather conditions, including strong to gale force winds and inaccessible terrain contributed to its rapid spread to Aalwyndal, Island View and Vakansieplaas by 6 January 2026. Firefighting operations saw multiple fire crews including Mossel Bay, Garden Route, Hessequa, George and multiple volunteers involved in a coordinated collaborative effort. Aerial firefighting was implemented during the afternoon of 6 January 2026, under command of the Garden Route District Municipality.