Western Cape Government approaches National Disaster Management Centre

Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning today announced that the Provincial Government (WCG) has approached the National Disaster Management Centre for a Provincial Disaster Classification as a result of several wildfires burning across the province. “A provincial disaster classification will empower the Premier and the Minster of Finance to move funding as and when we need it to sustain our firefighting efforts,” Minister Bredell said.

Minister Bredell said the current hot and windy weather conditions, combined with several wildfires burning in the Cape Winelands and Overberg districts, necessitates a large and coordinated firefighting effort, and the provincial government needs to be able to respond to a fast-changing situation.

““We have the necessary resources available to address the wildfires, but the disaster declaration will give us the ability to coordinate optimally. We are doing everything to protect lives and property,” Minister Bredell said.

Minister Bredell asked the public to please report any sighting of a fire as quickly as possible to the closest authorities. “Experience over many years has taught us that the faster the initial response, the better our chances are of successfully controlling a fire before it spirals out of control.”

The following numbers can be contacted to report any fire sightings:

    City of Cape Town: 107 or 021 480 7700 from a cell phone

    Overberg: 028 425 1690

    West Coast: 022 433 8700

    Garden Route: 044 805 5071

    Central Karoo: 023 414 2603

    Cape Winelands: 021 887 4446