The Free State Province once again experienced extreme fire conditions on Saturday (30/9) with high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds.

The only active fire at the moment is the Egg Fire, between Theunissen and Winburg.

Several wildfires were reported in the Free State on Saturday. Photo supplied

There were more than five active fires in the province yesterday afternoon (30/9). Most were contained, and the only remaining one at the moment is the Egg Fire.

The N1, N3, and N5 national roads also had to be shut down for an extended period of time due to the veld fires that affected huge portions of the roadways and caused hazardous driving conditions and poor visibility.

“Multiple vehicle pile-ups occurred on the N1 and N3. We can confirm that two patients had to be transported to the hospital – one with minor injuries and one was moderately injured,” confirmed EMS spokesperson, Sipho Towa.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development issued a warning to all farmers about veld fires causing havoc near towns and farming areas along Winburg, Senekal, Marquard, Tweespruit, and Ventersdorp.

“At the moment it is difficult to confirm fatalities, injuries, damages, and the area impacted, as there is still one active fire,” said the spokesperson of the Free State Umbrella Fire Protection Association, Johan Breytenbach.

The weather services expect a minor drop in temperature and moderate wind speeds on Sunday (1/9), but on Monday (2/9) the prevailing circumstances will favour the creation and quick spread of veld fires once again, raising the risks.

“We urge the public to be mindful of the extreme fire risk that will remain in place for the duration of spring and ask land users to take up their responsibility to manage the veld fire risk on land under their control,” said Breytenbach.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame

The situation report at 00:40, earlier on Sunday: