Devastating wildfires have swept through the Kouga municipality in South Africa's Eastern Cape, destroying homes and farms while prompting evacuations and road closures. Residents and volunteers are battling the blazes amid suspicions of arson, as aerial support arrives to aid containment efforts. Power outages have affected several areas due to damaged infrastructure.
On January 8, 2026, fast-moving wildfires tore through parts of the Kouga municipality, leaving residents in heartbreak as homes and farms were consumed within minutes. Evacuations were ordered for areas including Zwartenbosch along the R330, farming communities near Oyster Bay Road, and the Kromme River/Riverside regions. The fires jumped the R330, threatening the Kabeljous River and Ubuntu Bricks Factory, while authorities closed the N2 between Humansdorp and Jeffreys Bay, diverting traffic to the R102. Other closures included Boknes Road near R72 and the R62 between Tripholia and Kareedouw.
Kouga Mayor Hattingh Bornman reported five fires burning across the municipality: one on the R330, one between Humansdorp and Jeffreys Bay, one in St Francis Bay, and two smaller ones in Humansdorp. These blazes had re-ignited since Tuesday, with three major ones identified behind Humansdorp, between St Francis Bay and Paradise Beach, and in the Kabeljous River area. St Francis Bay and Jeffreys Bay were not at immediate risk, but infrastructure in St Francis Bay suffered damage, including two downed electrical lines, causing power outages. Eskom stated that repair work would commence once areas were deemed safe.
Aerial firefighting support arrived from George in the Western Cape, including from Working on Fire, to assist ground crews and volunteers who were dousing flare-ups with water tanks and pumps. Residents like Priyanka Singh witnessed the devastation: “It is absolute devastation. Seeing so many people lose their property is heartbreaking.” Vinette Rust described the panic: “It is absolutely frightening. You don’t know if you will make it in time.”
Suspicions of arson arose, with Riaan Kolesky noting, “It’s burning and incredibly dry, and the wind is making things worse... I suspect arson.” Alec Laubscher agreed, citing the dry conditions and strong winds. Piero de Marco highlighted invasive trees as a worsening factor: “If a property has alien trees, you’re asking for trouble.” The community united to protect properties, though rebuilding will take months, as Jacques Steenkamp emphasized the need for unity.
