Fire-Smart Barrydale Volunteer Firefighters

08/06/2026

20/01/2026

Good evening Barrydale.
We have smouldering at a high lying area in a position that has previously burnt.
Fire teams are on alert.
Access is not possible at the moment, but there is no cause for concern right now.
If there are any developments, you will be the first to know.

18/01/2026

A few images of the recent fires near Smitsville, Barrydale.

15/01/2026

We would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to the Barrydale community and all the teams, departments and organizations, also those from outside Barrydale from Suurbraak and Swellendam, and the farmers who assisted until early hours of this morning to bring the encroaching fires under control.
Also to the teams that averted disaster by preventing loss of livestock and damage to the water work depot(our drinking water processing depot)
PLEASE however be vigilant until mopping operations are completed as there may still be smoldering tree stumps etc. despite the cool weather and little rain we received this morning.
And a special thank you to Barrydale Neighbourhood Watch members who monitored any flare-ups throughout the night.
Once again, thank you for your patience.

14/01/2026

Message from the Barrydale Firesmart Team.
Dear fellow Barrydalers,
We are in the midst of a bush fire situation, but rest assured, we are in safe hands with all the well-trained firefighters who are in attendance.
We are calling for calmness to prevail, rather than panic. Remember, when panic enters the door, logic and common sense usually goes out the window.
Although a lot of you might have seen night pictures of the fires approaching, fires at night always look larger and more dramatic and closer (with zoom lens photography) than they actually are.
The fire is still a fair distance from the village and where it is accessible, the firefighters will block and extinguish the flames.
Our fire team management and Barrydale Neighbourhood Watch members have been monitoring and active around the clock so we can be given the correct information, so recent posts that imply that we are 'asleep' are not correct or appreciated.
IF and when a call for assistance/refreshments/food/eye drops/lip ice etc is put out, a designated area will be assigned for drop off.
Vehicles will transport donations from there. This will eliminate congestion at the front line.
Tradouw Pass will be open intermittently, but please proceed with caution as there are firefighters and vehicles active on the road.
Thank you so much for your patience and we will provide as many updates as possible.
Stay safe.

14/01/2026

UPDATE: 7 am

I'm at the municipal dam again. There are some pockets of smoldering areas very high up on mountain behind dam, plus minus 1km towards Donkergat area. At this point in time there is no need to worry as the fire is still far away.
Further updates will follow later when we receive more info.
Johan Knox
Firesmart Barrydale.

13/01/2026

Latest update just received!
Tradouwpas Fire Update, Fireground teams of GRDM are currently working on a line that has been back burn successfully, on the Suurbraak side, on the Andries Uys side still a bit of smouldering but no active flames in that area, on the side towards Barrydale there are still an active line going towards the allready burned area, burning very slowly with no danger for spot fires, at Pieniekbos the is a small line of fire running down the valley at n slow pace, we will monitoring it during the night. On scene currently, 2 x skid units GRDM Landcruisers, 2 x Large waterpumpers GRDM, Officer on scene AC Van wyk. ODM S6, S7 and S2 on scene, monitoring any flair ups on the backburn area.

13/01/2026