Fires continue to ravage Pilansberg. Sunday another wild fire entered the Pilanesberg from Ledig outside Sun City area. The fire moved at max speed towards Bakubung lodge and onwards into the park. The teams on the ground fought this fire the entire way. It was finally stopped on Tshepe, on route to Kwa Maritane. It did manage to then jump and cross the road to the Predator Park. Luckily the teams managed to get it under control there, eventually.
The wind was so strong and relentless that the fire was coming in waves, not a line of fire. At one point we measured the distance traveled by the fire up a hill at faster than 1 km in 4 minutes. You cannot outrun it’s. You cannot stop it. It jumps over you! It is incredibly dangerous to be right on the fire line.
The road infrastructure in Pilanesberg is not conducive to preventing areas from burning. There are many large blocks that are impassable even if you wanted to put a road in there . Once a fire gets in these vast blocks, you cannot stop it without risk of life. Every precaution is made to not trap any animals in the burns. Sadly we are sure a number of smaller animals do not escape. After each fire the Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust pays for a helicopter to search the entire park for any casualties. Many, many thanks to the Rustenburg Rebel Fire Team. You guys are the reason the Park still has unburned areas! We appreciate your voluntary assistance as we know the costs of the equipment you bring to these hectic fires. If anyone wants to donate to a cause, these teams are a worthy cause. They come at their own expense and at the drop of a hat!
Petra Rough and Barry from Revel Fire Team, thank you to you and your amazing team. Reiner from Golden Era, thank you for the water bowsers you bring in each time. You have helped immensely and we appreciate each and everyone of you. The guides and the staff in the Park are also hugely to thank for the work and effort and support that they bring to each fire. Each fire brings the same willing volunteers. Ready to help where needed with what is available. Resources are limited and we appreciate all the help the lodges, in particular Legacy Lodges, bring to assist the Park.
Fire season is not over. We stand ready to protect Pilanesberg and all her animals when the next wild fire comes in!
Luckily there is still good grass available for the animals so please do not worry about that as yet! Thank you all who helped. We salute you.
