Watch: Fire crews remain on alert in Mossel Bay; animals treated for smoke inhalation

Challenging conditions continue to hamper firefighting efforts in Aalwyndal and surrounding areas, where flare-ups remain a concern.

Firefighters and all relevant role players monitored a flare-up fire in Aalwyndal throughout the night, as strong, shifting winds persisted.

Meanwhile, Gift of the Givers teams are actively responding to the Mossel Bay fires as part of the Joint Operations Centre, working alongside municipal authorities, Fire and Rescue Services, SAPS, emergency management services, the National Sea Rescue Institute and Disaster Management.

Relief and support operations continue around the clock as teams co-ordinate assistance for communities affected by the fire.

Watch: Video footage from 20:30 last night.

More evacuations take place in Aalwyndal

Flare-ups in the Aalwyndal area necessitated further evacuations yesterday afternoon, according to an update by the Mossel Bay Municipality.

The municipality said active multi-agency firefighting continues in Aalwyndal and surrounds, with crews attending to regular flare-ups.

Resources are being used strategically to manage flare-ups, but wind gusts and inaccessible terrain are complicating the containment of the fire, it said.

“Aerial firefighting resources are still deployed, strengthening containment efforts. One injury (civilian – female minor) has been reported in Vakansieplaas.”

Additional resources that have been volunteered include concrete mixers with articulated arms to aid firefighting operations and a grader to assist with firebreaks.

Watch: Video footage from yesterday.

Animals treated for smoke inhalation

Garden Route SPCA Mossel Bay branch and the Hartenbos Animal Hospital have taken in several animals, both wildlife and domestic, for safety and medical care.

Many of the animals rescued belong to the owners who have lost their homes in the blaze.

The Garden Route SPCA has taken in three dogs, eight birds and one tortoise, while the Hartenbos Animal Hospital temporarily housed eight cats, two birds and 10 dogs, some of which were discharged yesterday morning.

Several animals suffered smoke inhalation, but no other serious injuries were reported.

Mossel Bay Advertiser reported yesterday that the animal hospital’s staff returned to the facility after hours on Tuesday night to treat some of the animals affected by the fire. Sister Stefanie de Graaff told Mossel Bay Advertiser it was an all-hands-on-deck situation.

Both facilities have encouraged donations from the public in the form of dog and cat food, cat litter, dog beds, blankets and towels, and items for residents who have lost their possessions in the blaze.

They also received some assistance from volunteers. “Everyone was so helpful. The staff was amazing, and some pet owners even helped one another,” she said.

Elize Goosen, the Garden Route SPCA Mossel Bay’s branch manager, told Mossel Bay Advertiser that because they are not conducting any surgeries at the moment, they have extra cages available for animals that need temporary housing.

The SPCA conducted a search-and-rescue sweep of the scene yesterday. So far, they have rescued several horses.

“We wanted to search for a lot more last night (Wednesday), but because of how strong the flames were and due to the concern for our own safety, we weren’t able to,” said Goosen.

Cheri Cooke, the area manager of the SPCA, has urged farmers who have cattle that have been affected by the fire to contact the animal shelter.

Photos of missing pets can also be shared with the SPCA, which will keep an eye out for these animals during their search-and-rescue efforts.

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