Worst-In-A-Decade Wildfires Burn 132,000 Hectares In South Africa's Western Cape

CAPE TOWN, Jan 23 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Wildfires ravaging parts of South Africa's Western Cape are among the most severe in a decade, burning about 132,000 hectares of land, Provincial Premier Alan Winde said on Thursday, reported Xinhua.

Winde briefed members of the media in Cape Town on the province's response to the widespread fires and water security challenges, with projections suggesting that the current fire season could extend until May 2026.

Winde said the provincial Cabinet had requested a provincial disaster declaration from the National Disaster Management Centre, which would allow the province to access emergency funding.

He added that while no human fatalities have been reported, there has been widespread destruction of structures and significant loss of wildlife in the worst fire season since 2015.

"When tackling disasters such as this, our sole priority is to protect lives and, as far as possible, infrastructure, including homes," Winde said. "Unfortunately, structures have been destroyed, but our main priority remains ensuring public safety."

From Dec. 1 to Jan. 11, the provincial government spent 19 million rand (about US$1.2 million) on firefighting operations.

The premier also noted that several municipalities were experiencing water security challenges and that the Cabinet supported the disaster declaration request to sustain the ongoing response.

Knysna Municipality has been the worst affected, officials said. "This issue has become more widespread. We must escalate our responses," Winde added.  

--BERNAMA-XINHUA