Firefighters across the Eastern and Western Cape are battling a fast-moving and dangerous wildfire crisis, with multiple blazes burning out of control, communities displaced and infrastructure under severe strain amid strong winds and extreme heat.
Authorities warn that conditions remain volatile and could worsen rapidly if current weather patterns persist.
🚨 LIVE UPDATE | EASTERN & WESTERN CAPE FIRES
(09 January 2026, 14:30)
Firefighters remain under severe pressure across both provinces, with Kouga Municipality in the Eastern Cape still facing multiple active fire fronts and Western Cape fires burning out of control in parts of the Overberg, Garden Route and Cape Winelands.
In the Eastern Cape, evacuations remain in place in fire-threatened areas near St Francis Bay, Jeffreys Bay and Humansdorp, while power outages and water supply disruptions continue to hamper response efforts.
In the Western Cape, visitors have been urged to leave Stanford as heavy smoke, strong winds and advancing fire lines threaten key routes, including the R43. Aerial firefighting continues in multiple districts.
Authorities warn the situation remains highly volatile, with sudden wind shifts capable of pushing fires into new areas with little warning.
Eastern Cape: Kouga Under Severe Pressure
The Eastern Cape’s Kouga Municipality remains the hardest-hit region, with fire crews working through the night to contain three major fires burning simultaneously:
- One in the Koukamma area
- A second between St Francis Bay and Paradise Beach
- A third between Kabeljous and Jeffreys Bay
Despite sustained ground and aerial efforts, all three fires remain active, threatening St Francis Bay, Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp, Zwartenbosch, Kromme River, Oyster Bay and Hankey. Evacuations are ongoing, with several residents and holidaymakers forced to flee their homes.
The municipality confirmed damage to property and infrastructure.“There has been damage to properties in the Kromme River and Smith Town areas. Every effort is being made to bring the situation under control as swiftly and safely as possible,” the municipality said.
“There is no need for any additional evacuations at this stage.”
Officials cautioned that changing wind conditions could quickly alter the situation.
Gift of the Givers Mobilised as Firefighting Capacity Stretched
Humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers has been mobilised in the Kouga region, warning that electricity failures, water shortages and strong winds are significantly limiting firefighting efforts.
“Kouga Municipality has requested from Gift of Givers the urgent services of a waterbomber helicopter as the situation is too risky for the 65 firefighters to intervene decisively without air support,” said Gift of the Givers founder Imtiaz Sooliman.
“The situation is compounded by the huge fires in Mossel Bay, the Overberg region and now Elim, where the winds are devastating at 70 knots. Gift of Givers teams are involved in all these areas.”
Sooliman added that the organisation has dispatched a water tanker from Adelaide to Kouga, while also supplying water in Zoar, Ladismith and Knysna. Emergency assistance including mattresses, blankets, hygiene packs, meals, bottled water and counselling services is being mobilised.
“The situation has been compounded by electricity failures at multiple substations, resulting in a shutdown of pumps at the Churchill and Impofu Dams, essentially terminating water supply in all these districts. Bottled water is going to be mandatory until the systems can be fixed.”
Eskom confirmed that the fires have caused major power outages across Kouga, Humansdorp and parts of the Sarah Baartman District, further complicating response efforts.
Western Cape: Fires Spread as Evacuations Continue
In the Western Cape, the wildfire footprint continues to expand. Authorities confirmed that more than 90 000 hectares have burned so far this fire season, with dozens of structures destroyed, though no fatalities have been reported.
Active fires continue in:
- Stanford and Pearly Beach in the Overberg
- Mossel Bay and the Garden Route
- Parts of the Cape Winelands and Boland
Visitors have been urged to vacate Stanford as shifting winds threaten to push flames across the R43, potentially cutting off escape routes.
👉 Read the full Stanford evacuation warning
Road Closures and Safety Warnings
Smoke, falling ash and advancing fire lines have led to intermittent road closures, including sections of the N2, R330 and R43. Motorists are urged to avoid affected routes entirely.
Authorities continue to urge residents and visitors to:
- Follow official evacuation instructions immediately
- Avoid fire-affected and smoke-filled areas
- Keep emergency kits ready, including water, medication and documents
- Conserve water where supplies are disrupted
- Rely only on verified updates from authorities and trusted news sources
Kouga Municipality – Fire Emergencies
- Facebook: Kouga News
- Municipal Call Centre: 042 200 2200
- Emergency Control Room: 042 291 0250
Donation Call – Kouga Municipality (Issued Friday)
Drop-off points:
- St Francis Bay Fire Station
Contact: Elvina Felix – 067 108 5895 - Humansdorp Fire Station
Contact: Sarah-Vee Goodman – 081 212 2317 - Newton Hall
Contact: Rochelle Ludick – 067 108 6530
Gift of the Givers – Support & Donations
🌐 http://www.giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference
📞 0800 786 911
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