Fire hits W Cape’s Overberg

THE Western Cape’s Overberg region has been hit by a devastating fire this week. One damaged property was Grootbos’ new Forest Lodge near Gansbaai. The main building and three cottages burnt down, while the property’s Garden Lodge escaped with minor damages. Grootbos has decided to close its operations until February 25 as dust, soot and smell may negatively affect the Grootbos experience for guests. The Forest Lodge will be rebuilt and expectations are that it will be open for the new season. Assistance can be provided to find alternative arrangements in the deKelders area at three luxury guest houses: Cliff, Crayfish and Whalesong Lodge. The central reservation will be located at Grootbos. Product owners in the Gansbaai area told Travel News Now that the coastal areas are safe, while inland areas are still suffering. Says Crayfish Lodge’s Reinhard Kern: “The coastal area has not been affected and is safe for tourists. They will not even feel any difference.” Local news reports confirmed yesterday that the fire was still raging out of control towards Napier and Bredasdorp. Emergency services have confirmed that an action plan is in place and that by yesterday evening, the fire had already reached Napier. Spokesperson for Working on Fire, Val Charlton, cited two fires burning currently in the Western Cape: “In the Overberg area, the fires are still burning out of control and in the Wolseley area temperatures have risen to 40º C. We are thinking of letting the fire just burn themselves out because there’s a lot of old vegetation in that area.” Charlton confirmed that other than the Grootbos property, no other reports of damage had been received. (Natalia Thomson) natalia@nowmedia.co.za