Emergency Evacuation-Horses & Alpacas - Helderberg, Cape Town SA

Emergency Evacuation-Horses & Alpacas - Helderberg, Cape Town SA C.H.A.R.T - Helderberg
Civic Horse Alpaca Response Team This forum will come into use when we are heading for or are already in an emergency situation.

Necessary info and requests for assistance will be relayed here. We also advise when properties are conducting "controlled burns" as sharing this info keeps the public informed that there is no need to be concerned. Due to the huge fires we’ve experienced in the Western Cape during recent fire seasons, various fire-fighting agencies have implemented far more intense measures for additional support

in fighting fires in the Western Cape. We are no longer dealing with the “normal” type of vegetation/bush fires but a much fiercer, unpredictable behaviour of fire. It’s important to understand that it is up to YOU as a horse/yard owner, to prepare and plan for an emergency within your yard. Once outside your yard, for Sir Lowry's Pass (SLP), there will be procedures in place to assist with some form of guidance during the chaos. It’s important to note these. Fire is no one’s friend! None of us are exempt from this type of disaster happening but if we work together and prepare, we can be a little better prepared than we were. Organised chaos is a key factor in an emergency situation and each experience allows us to evaluate and improve "for next time". So rather be prepared, even over prepared…and not use it, then not be prepared at all. DO NOT TOSS YOUR CIGARETTE BUTT ON THE GROUND - DISPOSE OF IT PROPERLY! ESPECIALLY DURING AN ACTIVE FIRE (yes, hard to believe but in a recent fire evacuation, people were smoking and tossing their butts on the ground!)

* Stay clear of emergency vehicles at all times > move off the road/out the way!
* Keep roads clear for emergency and evacuating vehicles
* Park your vehicle completely off the road and consider leaving the key in the
ignition in case the vehicle needs to be moved and you are not nearby
* In thick smoky conditions, remember to drive with your headlights on - this is for
your benefit and to ensure you are visible to all other road users
* Park the vehicle facing the exit route, ready to drive out
* If you are not able to assist in any way, LEAVE THE AREA.

For possible evacuations needed on the Franschhoek side, please see Siobhan's offer of assistance - Mistico.
09/01/2026

For possible evacuations needed on the Franschhoek side, please see Siobhan's offer of assistance - Mistico.

🚨 Evacuations 🚨

Anyone needing to evacuate please feel free to give Siobhan a call . Her team is on Standby and ready to assist.

Mistico has over 240 show stables available and plenty of large paddocks available for stud farms to use if they need to evacuate.

Siobhan- 082 414 9999

GRABOUW FIRE 10/12/2025 - 19h40Still no official updates.Aerial resources have just stood down.The fire is still not con...
10/12/2025

GRABOUW FIRE
10/12/2025 - 19h40
Still no official updates.
Aerial resources have just stood down.
The fire is still not contained.
The fire has crested the mountain and is currently burning on Sir Lowry’s Pass side of the mountain in the vicinity of the Gantouw/Old Oxwagon trail (just above the Pass/N2).

Services will remain on scene for the night and FD is already standing by in Knorhoek.

We will keep monitoring and post as and when official updates are received as well as should the situation change.

C.H.A.R.T
Civic Horse Alpaca Response Team
----------

GRABOUW FIRE
10/12/2025 - 18h30
We still do not have any official updates.
The fire is not contained yet, however the aerial resouces have made a huge difference.
The fire did crest the mountain but was water bombed immediately.

CoCT Fire has 2 Hueys flying until 19h35.

We will keep monitoring and post as and when official updates are received as well as should the situation change.

C.H.A.R.T
Civic Horse Alpaca Response Team
----------

GRABOUW FIRE
10/12/2025 - 16h00
There is currently a fire burning on Grabouw side of the Pass, just after the lookout point on SLP side of the N2.

All services on scene. Aerial resources have also been activated.

No need for concern for Sir Lowry's Pass at this stage.
We are monitoring the situation and once official updates are out we'll share them.

C.H.A.R.T
Civic Horse Alpaca Response Team

01/12/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗴 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 – although our fire-fighting teams across the district have already battled numerous fires since October. Meanwhile, the Overstrand fire season began on 1 November.

With the season now underway, helicopters are stationed at Bredasdorp and will remain there until the end of April. Landowners, please check out the required helicopter MOU here: https://tinyurl.com/38ephcaf

While vigilance has been crucial so far, we now need your help to keep our district safe from veldfires.

If you see smoke or flames, please report it immediately.

📱 Overberg Fire Services (Overberg excluding the Overstrand): 028 425 1690
📱 Overstrand Fire Services: 028 312 2400
📱 goFPA: 063 690 7899

Overberg District Municipality Theewaterskloof Municipality Swellendam Municipality - SWEMun Cape Agulhas Municipality Suidernuus / Southern Post and Suiderpers The Village News - Overstrand

28/11/2025

Helicopters play a crucial role in fighting fires in the Western Cape. But they’re not always available – and sometimes they’re simply not the right tool for a particular fire. goFPA’s Pieter Rossouw breaks down when and how choppers make a difference: https://overbergfpa.co.za/where-are-the-choppers/

WOF-Kishugu JV

23/02/2025

Confirmed Hansekop flare-up. OWV on scene.

The smoke we are smelling in Sir Lowry's Pass / Gordon's Bay / Helderberg area, has been confirmed that it's coming from...
18/11/2024

The smoke we are smelling in Sir Lowry's Pass / Gordon's Bay / Helderberg area, has been confirmed that it's coming from this fire in the Hemel & Aarde Valley, Hermanus side. We have received confirm that at this stage, Grabouw is clear as is our side.

06/04/2024

Please find updated weather warnings received from SAWS - 06 Apr 2024

· Yellow Level 4 warning for wind leading to difficulty in navigation at sea, is expected between Saldanha Bay and Cape Agulhas from Friday, spreading to Plettenberg Bay on Sunday, continuing into Monday (05-08/04/2024).
· Orange Level 6 warning for wind leading to risk to medium/large vessel of dragging anchor and breaking mooring lines is expected between Table Bay and Cape Agulhas from Saturday evening through Sunday (06-07/04/2024).
· Orange Level 6 warning for interior wind leading some structural damage and interruptions to power, communication and other and services, is expected over the City of Cape Town, Overberg and Cape Winelands from Saturday evening through Sunday (06-07/04/2024).
· Yellow Level 4 warning for waves leading to disruption of small harbours and ports, is expected between Saldanha Bay and Cape Agulhas on Saturday evening, spreading to Mossel Bay on Sunday, continuing into Monday (0 6-08/04/2024).
· Orange Level 6 warning for disruptive rain resulting in possible damage to roads and bridges is expected over the City of Cape Town, Overberg and the southern Cape Winelands on Monday (08/04/2024).

Thanks

Charlotte Powell
Portfolio Head: Public Awareness and Preparedness
Location: Disaster Risk Management Centre, c/o Frans Conradie & Hugo Street, Goodwood

18/02/2024

High Riding Fire - Sir Lowry's Pass
18/02/2024 - 07h50

Fire services are focusing on the East and West flanks with aerial resources targetting the N2 aspect of the blaze which is being driven by the atrong SE winds.

The High Riding Estate perimeter burn remains under control.

CoCT has multiple resources on scene, including 5 aerial resources - namely 4 choppers & 1 spotter plane

Sir Lowry’s Pass Farm Watch

18/02/2024

High Riding Fire - Sir Lowry's Pass
18/02/2024 - 07h20

Fire has split into two fronts. One gradually pushing up towards the old pass and the other pushing towards N2.

The head which breached High Riding perimeter has been brought under control.
CoCT has multiple resources on scene, including 3 aerial resources - namely 2 choppers and 1 spotter plane which has just arrived on scene

Sir Lowry’s Pass Farm Watch

18/02/2024

High Riding Fire - Sir Lowry's Pass
18/02/2024 - 06h30

Fire started on Cape Nature land unfortunately fueled by South Easter wind it has now breached the High Riding fence.
Fire is currently burning into 2 perimeter property gardens.

12 FD units on scene.
Aerial resources have been authorized.

Sir Lowry’s Pass Farm Watch

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Cape Town
7130

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