Farmers and Firefighters Tame Raging Wildfire

Rustenburg – On Sunday, 27 October 2024, a fire ignited on a gravel road along the R24, opposite Brauhaus Afrika, around 16:00. Fuelled by scorching temperatures and high winds, the flames spread through green, planted pastures, advancing nearly four kilometres in just a few hours.

Petra Rough, chairperson of the Greater Rustenburg Fire Protection Association, described the situation as intensely challenging. “It started in green pasture, but the heat was intense, and the winds only made things worse. The fire was so fierce it even jumped across the R24,” she recounted.

Fortunately, a collaborative response from the Greater Rustenburg Fire Protection Association, the local Fire Department, and area farmers helped contain the blaze. DA Ward 36 representative, Jean Keyser, acknowledged the efforts, noting, “The Fire Department, Greater Rustenburg Fire Protection Association, and some of the farmers of the area were also involved in fighting the fire. Luckily, they gained control over the fire at approximately 21:00 in the evening.”

While the fire did not damage any buildings, two farmers sustained minor injuries during the operation and received medical care on the scene.

Photos: Firefighters and local farmers worked through the night to bring the wildfire under control.