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24 October 2025
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Multiple crews battle wildfire in Gansbaai, Overstrand
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A fire broke out in the mountains near Gansbaai, which continued to burn out of control. Access to the fireline was a challenge due to dense vegetation and mountainous terrain. A combined effort from the landowners, FMU members, Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association (goFPA), Overberg District Municipality (ODM) and Overstrand Municipality Fire Services has so far prevented any damage to structures. A Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) team was deployed in the mountain to work on the fireline along the slopes. Night-time operations continued to focus on structural protection and preparation for a predicted wind change. The fire was first reported between De Kelders and Grootbos at 11h15 between De Kelders and Grootbos on Saturday, 25 October 2025.
Landowners in the immediate vicinity of the fire were urged to remain on high alert as conditions continue to change.
Day 1 Update 3: Gansbaai Fire 25 October 2025 @ 21:00
The fire in the Gansbaai area continues to burn. Through ongoing engagement with the Grootbos Nature Reserve management, alternative accommodation options were placed on standby in the event that an evacuation became necessary. Following consultations with the owner this evening, a precautionary evacuation was ordered for Grootbos Forest Lodge. All guests were safely evacuated at 20:40, and alternative accommodation has been arranged. Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat has also been placed on alert for possible evacuation at short notice. They are currently meeting with guests to consider next steps and plan accordingly.
Light drizzle has been falling in the Grootbos Nature Reserve area for the past few minutes. Despite this, the area remains covered in thick smoke, and the fireline is clearly visible from the Hermanus side. Firefighting crews from the Overstrand Fire Services and Overberg District Municipality, together with landowners, the Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association (goFPA) and VWS, will remain on scene through the night.
Day 2 Update 3: Gansbaai Fire 26 October 2025 @ 17:30
The Gansbaai fire continues to spread. Both the left and right flanks are burning actively. The right flank continues to burn on the mountain ridge (Gansbaai side), where VWS crews and skid units are working hard to contain the line. The left flank (Grootbos Gravel Road) continues to burn in dense vegetation. Firefighters are actively working to contain the spread of the fire. Firefighting crews from the Overstrand Municipality Fire Services and Overberg District Municipality, together with landowners, the Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association (goFPA), VWS, and the Fire Management Unit, will remain on the lines throughout the night
Day 3 Update 1: Gansbaai Fire 27 October 2025 @ 10:00
The fire continues to burn high up in the Gansbaai mountains. Fresh teams have been deployed, with the maximum deployment of ground crews currently working on the fire lines. During this morning’s debriefing, Overstrand Municipality’s Fire Services confirmed that approximately 700 hectares have been burned. The predicted westerly wind is expected to push the fire towards the Flower Valley area, and the Strandkloof Caravan Park will also be closely monitored.
Overstrand Traffic, Law Enforcement, and SAPS have been alerted to assist with operations, including possible road closures due to heavy smoke or precautionary evacuations, should the need arise. A briefing for landowners in the immediate vicinity is scheduled to discuss strategies for the day, provided conditions do not change drastically. Overstrand Fire Services, the Overberg District Municipality, goFPA, various landowners, and Working on Fire ground teams are actively fighting the fire, with the support of Overstrand Traffic, Law Enforcement, and SAPS.
Day 3 Update 3: Gansbaai Fire 27 October 2025 @ 21:30
Active firefighting operations are still ongoing. A briefing session was held at 21:00. Night-time operations are in place, and crews will remain on scene. The roads currently affected by the fire will remain closed until further notice and will only be reopened once it is safe to do so. Grootbos Road has already been reopened. Division A remains engaged in active firefighting and structural protection activities in the Blue Horizon area. The fire along the mountain continues to burn. Division B (along Grootbos Road) is currently being monitored, and crews will remain in the area.
Day 4 Update 1: Gansbaai Fire 28 October 2025 @ 07:30
Active firefighting operations are continuing for the day. Overstrand Municipality Fire fighters worked throughout the night and early morning to prevent the fire from reaching the R43 near Baardskeerdersbos and to protect properties in the area.
Due to the cold conditions, fire spread in the Grootbos area was minimal overnight. From 06:00, fire crews have been working at the Uitkyk scenic viewpoint to secure a perimeter around yesterday’s spot fire. Division B (along Grootbos Road) remains unchanged from last night. The area is being monitored, and crews will remain on site. The fire dinamics have now changed. On Saturday and Sunday, it was burning high up in the mountains. Yesterday (Monday), it moved down, marking a transition from a mountain fire to an urban interface fire, where there are structures and infrastructure at risk.
Day 4 Update 2: Gansbaai Fire 28 October 2025 @ 10:30
Firefighters are working hard on five different fire lines and will continue to focus on these areas. The Overstrand Municipality has announced that all roads in the Gansbaai area are now open following a determined firefighting effort to contain a potentially destructive wildfire, Cape {town} Etc reports. The R43 Gansbaai Road, which runs at the Uilkraalsmond and Baardskeerdersbos crossing, is back in operation, alongside the reopening of Grootbos Road. However, the municipality has advised that road closures may occur on short notice, urging drivers to exercise caution and give way to emergency vehicles. This announcement follows an intense overnight effort by the Overstrand Municipality’s firefighting teams, who worked diligently to prevent the fire from encroaching on the R43 near Baardskeerdersbos.
Day 4 Update 2: Gansbaai Fire 28 October 2025 @ 20:30
At the end of Day Four of the Gansbaai Fire, we are not out of the woods yet, as the night shift fire crew takes over to continue working the lines. Approximately 1 700 hectares have burned so far. The firefighters are tired but ready, and the Incident Command Centre reports as follows:
Division A
* The fireline remains active above De Kelders, and the crew will remain on high alert.
* A burnout operation will be conducted on the Baardskeerdersbos Road above Strandkloof, with a possible one-lane road closure.
* The Uitkyk scenic viewpoint line continues to creep.
Division B
* Creeping continues next to the gravel road from Grootbos towards De Uijlenes, with ongoing mop-up operations.
Overstrand Municipal Manager, Dean O’Neill extended gratitude to the collaboration among various emergency services and local stakeholders, stating, ‘Thank you to Overstrand Municipality’s Fire Services, Traffic and Law Enforcement, SAPS, Overberg District Municipality Fire, landowners, Working on Fire ground teams, NCC and goFPA for their hard work.’
Sources: Overstrand Municipality
Landowners in the immediate vicinity of the fire were urged to remain on high alert as conditions continue to change.
Day 1 Update 3: Gansbaai Fire 25 October 2025 @ 21:00
The fire in the Gansbaai area continues to burn. Through ongoing engagement with the Grootbos Nature Reserve management, alternative accommodation options were placed on standby in the event that an evacuation became necessary. Following consultations with the owner this evening, a precautionary evacuation was ordered for Grootbos Forest Lodge. All guests were safely evacuated at 20:40, and alternative accommodation has been arranged. Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat has also been placed on alert for possible evacuation at short notice. They are currently meeting with guests to consider next steps and plan accordingly.
Light drizzle has been falling in the Grootbos Nature Reserve area for the past few minutes. Despite this, the area remains covered in thick smoke, and the fireline is clearly visible from the Hermanus side. Firefighting crews from the Overstrand Fire Services and Overberg District Municipality, together with landowners, the Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association (goFPA) and VWS, will remain on scene through the night.
Day 2 Update 3: Gansbaai Fire 26 October 2025 @ 17:30
The Gansbaai fire continues to spread. Both the left and right flanks are burning actively. The right flank continues to burn on the mountain ridge (Gansbaai side), where VWS crews and skid units are working hard to contain the line. The left flank (Grootbos Gravel Road) continues to burn in dense vegetation. Firefighters are actively working to contain the spread of the fire. Firefighting crews from the Overstrand Municipality Fire Services and Overberg District Municipality, together with landowners, the Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association (goFPA), VWS, and the Fire Management Unit, will remain on the lines throughout the night
Day 3 Update 1: Gansbaai Fire 27 October 2025 @ 10:00
The fire continues to burn high up in the Gansbaai mountains. Fresh teams have been deployed, with the maximum deployment of ground crews currently working on the fire lines. During this morning’s debriefing, Overstrand Municipality’s Fire Services confirmed that approximately 700 hectares have been burned. The predicted westerly wind is expected to push the fire towards the Flower Valley area, and the Strandkloof Caravan Park will also be closely monitored.
Overstrand Traffic, Law Enforcement, and SAPS have been alerted to assist with operations, including possible road closures due to heavy smoke or precautionary evacuations, should the need arise. A briefing for landowners in the immediate vicinity is scheduled to discuss strategies for the day, provided conditions do not change drastically. Overstrand Fire Services, the Overberg District Municipality, goFPA, various landowners, and Working on Fire ground teams are actively fighting the fire, with the support of Overstrand Traffic, Law Enforcement, and SAPS.
Day 3 Update 3: Gansbaai Fire 27 October 2025 @ 21:30
Active firefighting operations are still ongoing. A briefing session was held at 21:00. Night-time operations are in place, and crews will remain on scene. The roads currently affected by the fire will remain closed until further notice and will only be reopened once it is safe to do so. Grootbos Road has already been reopened. Division A remains engaged in active firefighting and structural protection activities in the Blue Horizon area. The fire along the mountain continues to burn. Division B (along Grootbos Road) is currently being monitored, and crews will remain in the area.
Day 4 Update 1: Gansbaai Fire 28 October 2025 @ 07:30
Active firefighting operations are continuing for the day. Overstrand Municipality Fire fighters worked throughout the night and early morning to prevent the fire from reaching the R43 near Baardskeerdersbos and to protect properties in the area.
Due to the cold conditions, fire spread in the Grootbos area was minimal overnight. From 06:00, fire crews have been working at the Uitkyk scenic viewpoint to secure a perimeter around yesterday’s spot fire. Division B (along Grootbos Road) remains unchanged from last night. The area is being monitored, and crews will remain on site. The fire dinamics have now changed. On Saturday and Sunday, it was burning high up in the mountains. Yesterday (Monday), it moved down, marking a transition from a mountain fire to an urban interface fire, where there are structures and infrastructure at risk.
Day 4 Update 2: Gansbaai Fire 28 October 2025 @ 10:30
Firefighters are working hard on five different fire lines and will continue to focus on these areas. The Overstrand Municipality has announced that all roads in the Gansbaai area are now open following a determined firefighting effort to contain a potentially destructive wildfire, Cape {town} Etc reports. The R43 Gansbaai Road, which runs at the Uilkraalsmond and Baardskeerdersbos crossing, is back in operation, alongside the reopening of Grootbos Road. However, the municipality has advised that road closures may occur on short notice, urging drivers to exercise caution and give way to emergency vehicles. This announcement follows an intense overnight effort by the Overstrand Municipality’s firefighting teams, who worked diligently to prevent the fire from encroaching on the R43 near Baardskeerdersbos.
Day 4 Update 2: Gansbaai Fire 28 October 2025 @ 20:30
At the end of Day Four of the Gansbaai Fire, we are not out of the woods yet, as the night shift fire crew takes over to continue working the lines. Approximately 1 700 hectares have burned so far. The firefighters are tired but ready, and the Incident Command Centre reports as follows:
Division A
* The fireline remains active above De Kelders, and the crew will remain on high alert.
* A burnout operation will be conducted on the Baardskeerdersbos Road above Strandkloof, with a possible one-lane road closure.
* The Uitkyk scenic viewpoint line continues to creep.
Division B
* Creeping continues next to the gravel road from Grootbos towards De Uijlenes, with ongoing mop-up operations.
Overstrand Municipal Manager, Dean O’Neill extended gratitude to the collaboration among various emergency services and local stakeholders, stating, ‘Thank you to Overstrand Municipality’s Fire Services, Traffic and Law Enforcement, SAPS, Overberg District Municipality Fire, landowners, Working on Fire ground teams, NCC and goFPA for their hard work.’
Sources: Overstrand Municipality
