Guests evacuated as fire approaches KNP camps
Kruger National Park evacuates Tamboti and Maroela camps due to veld fire, guests relocated to Orpen Rest Camp.
LIMPOPO – Guests at the Tamboti and Maroela rest camps in the Kruger National Park were evacuated on Sunday night, October 20 after a veld fire in the area moved towards the camps.
Isaac Phaahla, communications and marketing officer for Sanparks told the Herald on Monday that the fires broke out late on Sunday night. “We were told that a fire was approaching the
Tamboti and Maroela camps and we took a precautionary measure of temporarily evacuating about 90% of the guests to the Orpen Rest Camp for their safety,” he said.
The fire, fuelled by a strong wind and dry vegetation, also moved towards Greater Kruger establishments such as the South African Wildlife College (SAWC).
According to Jeanné Poultney of SAWC, they managed to bring the fire under control at about 02:00 on Monday morning with the help of their rangers.
“We have trained fire teams, and our rangers also voluntarily assisted to contain the fire. All of this was done under the supervision of Sanparks as we are under their jurisdiction.”
However, Poultney said that the fire reignited early Monday morning and their teams remained on standby to assist with getting it under control.
“Fortunately, the local section ranger and his team with the support from other ranger sections, including andBeyond and the Hans Hoheisen Wildlife Research Station (HHWRS), were also helping to put the fire out. The fire also reached the Talamati area, but the river boundary helped to contain its spread,” she said.
On Monday Allan Neill thanked all involved in containing the fires on the Hoedspruit Village and Surrounds Facebook page.
“We are very grateful to the teams and support from Greg Bond for working tirelessly until the fire was under control. No damage to property or injuries reported so far. This fire is suspected to be a runaway fire. The team is still out in the field and gathering information regarding the fire,” he stated on the post.
On Monday evening, October 14, a fire from a braai that was not extinguished properly gutted three chalets at Olifants Camp.
On the same evening, another chalet was partially damaged due to the same reason. At the time, Sanparks spokesperson JP Louw told the Herald that guests are advised to extinguish fires immediately after use and never leave it unattended.
