UDATE AT 10am Friday
Volunteers left Sibuya at around 3am today, with the fire under control. However, new reports have just come in of the fire restarting and volunteers are preparing to return to the site.
Two buildings were destroyed.
No reports received so far of large game killed or injured. One source said the animals moved to the north of the reserve.
Community members have rallied with support by providing supplies for fire fighters and volunteers via the Bushmans Ratepayers and Residents Association who opened up the town hall as a receiving and distribution centre, and SPAR in Kenton and at Rosehill mall in Port Alfred.
UPDATE AT 7.30pm
Reports not officially confirmed indicate that a lodge burned down at Sibuya but that no injuries were reported; and the fact that there are lions in the reserve limits fire fighters’ movement as they try to fight the fire which is still not under control.
Members of the public are asked to keep access roads clear as farmers, volunteer fire fighters, security staff and game reserve staff together with Ndlambe Fire Services battle three fires – the most serious one in the Southwell area.
Chairperson of the Kenton-based Night Watch Community Police Forum Ferenc Toth said strong winds had driven the fire at Barville Park near Southwell into parts of Sibuya Game Reserve.
“At the moment the fire is under control,” Toth told Talk of the Town earlier this afternoon. “There is no cause for panic and we ask the public not to approach the area of the fire: the access roads in and around the farms and reserve are narrow and fire fighters need them to be clear so they can move quickly.
“The Night Watch crew will step in to assist at 5pm today. At the moment everyone is assisting – Southwell and Salem farmers, game reserve staff and trained volunteer fire fighters.
“We’re all on standby and everyone is assisting wherever they can.”
Toth said the CPF drone camera would be deployed to scout for hot spots.
“We need to get this fire completely out,” he said. “We don’t want it burning for days like the one three years ago.”
Meanwhile two other fires in the Port Alfred area appear to be under control. Ndlambe Fire Services were understandably not available for comment; however, Clinton Millard of Multi Security said the main concern remained the Southwell fire.
“Fire fighters from Makhanda are on their way to relieve the Ndlambe fire fighters,” he said.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
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Keep all access roads clear for the fire fighters
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Drop off supplies for fire fighters coming from Kenton/Bushmans at the Bushmans River Town Hall between 4.30pm and 5.30pm today
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Drop off supplies for fire fighters if you are in Port Alfred at Rosehill SPAR
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Supplies for fire fighters can include: plenty of bottled water or energy drinks (very important); energy bars (Bar One is the best), face masks, eyedrops, lip-ice
