It was because of the combined efforts of the Makana Fire and Rescue Services, along with support from the army, farmworkers and landowners that buildings were spared and people were safe during the fire that swept across Grahamstown’s western commonage and on to neighbouring farms last week.
It was because of the combined efforts of the Makana Fire and Rescue Services, along with support from the army, farmworkers and landowners that buildings were spared and people were safe during the fire that swept across Grahamstown’s western commonage and on to neighbouring farms last week.
That’s according to acting commander Vuyokazi Sam, who was in charge of operations during the fire that was reported after 11pm on Tuesday, 7 June and devastated a large area of commonage and some farmland before dying out last Friday afternoon.
The most severely affected was Rivendell, at the bottom of Howieson’s Poort. Although damage to the veld there was severe in a fire storm that swept down and across the hillside in waves, owner Nick James had nothing but praise for the fire fighters who helped save his fish hatcheries and other infrastructure.
Neighbours the McConnachies, were lucky to escape the blaze, but it was a long and anxious two days for them and others living further along the valley.
“We heard on Wednesday morning that there was a fire and drove to the top of the mountain. We saw it in the distance, burning on the commonage which borders our farm,” said Boudina McConnachie.
“We went in to work, but around 10.30am we got a call to say the fire was there.”
They arrived to find members of the Makana Fire and Rescue Services already in action.
“There wasn’t much we could do because the wind was blowing and the fire was too hot to get near it,” McConnachie said.
When they returned to the top of the mountain around 5.30pm, Station Commander Vuyokazi Sam was leading the combined team of Fire Services, army and volunteers.
“They were out there all night, fighting the fire as it came in waves towards the houses.
“The fire fighters did an amazing job,” McConnachie said. “They were there always – constantly checking up on us, driving up and down.”
Makana Fire and Rescue Services’ Station Commander Vuyokazi Sam was at home on standby when she received the call after 11pm last Tuesday that Mountain Drive was burning – “both sides of the mountain”.
“When the guys arrived at the incident they saw power lines that were down, so that was the suspected cause of the fire,” Sam told Grocott’s Mail this week.
The poles supporting the power lines had snapped in strong winds, which probably started the fire, Sam said.
“It was quite difficult for us to put out the fire, but (we managed) with the effort of the fire fighters and the assistance that we got from the army, even others who were willing to help.”
The fire at that stage between Waainek and Mountain View Manor, was reported shortly after 11pm on Tuesday 7 June.
Fanned by strong northerly winds, it rapidly burned south through the south-western commonage towards properties at the bottom of Howieson’s Poort, towards Southwell, and south-east towards Stones Hill.
The fire had slowed by Thursday afternoon and rain on Friday saw to the last smouldering areas.
“Thanks to the fire fighters, as well as farm owners and farm labourers who were willing to assist us, we managed to save properties as well as lives,” Sam said.
“It was a hard effort but we did save property, and we are proud of the job that was done throughout the night and over the two days the fire burned,” she said.
Senior fire fighter Kevin Riddin and fire fighter Dennis Vatela were the first to arrive on the scene.
Speaking this week at the spot where the fire started, Riddin said, “When we got here the fire was burning medium size.
“You can feel now how the wind blows up here. Also because of no rain – it’s very dry and so the fire spread rapidly. It spread towards the house (Mountain Drive Manor) behind us.
“It was difficult to control the fire under those conditions. We called for back-up and we managed eventually to get the fire under control.”
Vatela was driving the 4×4 as back-up to senior fire fighter Riddin.
“We worked very hard and as the fire was almost extinguished, the wind blew and the fire ran again quickly,” Vatela said.
“That’s when we called for back-up.”
Following queries to Grocott’s Mail from members of the public who wanted to help, Makana Fire Chief WIlliam Welkom explained that the Fire and Rescue Service does not have a volunteer programme because of the risk to untrained personnel.
“But volunteers are welcome to assist our disaster management unit organising refreshments etc during a fire of that nature,” Welkom told Grocott’s Mail.
• Read about the environmental damage on PAGE 18
sue@grocotts.co.za
