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It Felt Like a Movie: Mossel Bay Families Flee as Wildfire Reaches Their Homes
It started as a distant threat
By Tuesday evening, many Mossel Bay residents believed the fire burning on the far side of town was under control. It had started the day before in farmland near the N2 and, for a while, felt far enough away to watch rather than fear. That changed in minutes when the wind turned, and the flames jumped across open ground with terrifying speed.
For Island View resident Sheena Mouton, the moment the fire reached her street is something she says she will never forget. As smoke filled the air, her asthma worsened quickly. She grabbed her asthma pump and oxygen mask, her voice already strained, and shouted for her children and elderly parents to move fast. Her husband started the car while flames closed in on their home.
What they took with them says everything about the chaos of that night. There was no time for clothes or keepsakes. One son clutched his bodyboard and flippers, the other his Xbox and VR headset. Everything else was left behind.
As they tried to escape, roads were suddenly closed. The family became separated from Mouton’s parents and ended up waiting out the worst of the fire in their car, unsure of what was happening around them.
Fire on every side
By the early hours of Wednesday morning, exhausted and shaken, the family was finally allowed to return home. The fire had surrounded their area, leaving behind damaged vehicles and structures. Mouton says neither she nor her husband slept that night. Her older son understood what had happened. Her younger child, who has learning difficulties, was left deeply frightened.
Her experience echoed that of many others across Mossel Bay, where evacuations were carried out as a precaution, especially for elderly residents and care staff.
Firefighters push back the flames
Fire crews from Mossel Bay worked through the night, supported by teams from across the Garden Route, Hessequa, and George, along with volunteer groups. Strong gale-force winds and steep, hard-to-reach terrain made the battle especially difficult in areas like Aalwyndal and Island View.
Aerial firefighting proved crucial. Helicopters, a water bomber aircraft, and a spotter plane dropped water sourced from swimming pools, rivers, and dams. By Wednesday, several flanks of the fire had been brought under control, including areas near the N2, Island View, and Aalwyndal. Mop-up operations continued, with firefighters monitoring flare-ups closely.
Animals caught in the chaos
The fire did not only threaten homes. Animals were also affected, prompting swift action from local animal welfare groups. The Garden Route SPCA took in dogs, birds, and even a tortoise, while Hartenbos Animal Hospital temporarily cared for cats and birds displaced by the smoke and flames.
A town on edge but pulling together
Churches and faith-based organisations across Mossel Bay called for prayers as the fire raged, while residents shared updates and warnings across local WhatsApp groups and social media. Municipal officials urged people to rely on official channels only, as rumours and panic spread almost as fast as the flames.
Although the fire is now largely contained, access control remains in place in affected areas, and firefighters continue to protect lives and property. One child was injured during the evacuations, and several firefighters were hurt while battling the blaze.
A reminder of how fast everything can change
For families like the Moutons, the Mossel Bay fire is a harsh reminder of how quickly everyday life can flip into survival mode. One moment, you are at home, convinced the danger is elsewhere. Next, you are fleeing with only what you can carry, hoping your house will still be standing when you return.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: Pretoria News
