The Soutpansberg was ablaze last Thursday, with several veldt fires blazing through the region.

One of the fires raged at the Albasini dam, with devastating effects. It would appear the fire originated on the southern side of the dam and, due to the almost perfect conditions for fire (a strong wind and warm temperatures), spread very rapidly.

The fire jumped the water inlet on the eastern side of the dam and onto the Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge property. Despite the prompt arrival of the farm watch, who immediately sprang into action, the fire engulfed the lapa/conference venue at the lodge and staff and personnel could do nothing but stand by helplessly as it burned to the ground.

The fire also jumped to the block of five adjoining rooms. Four of the rooms could be saved, but the middle room (room no. 7) was burnt down.

“With the invaluable assistance of the farm watch with their firefighting equipment and the Vhembe Fire Department, the fire was contained, and very fortunately did not spread to the main lodge building or other rooms,” said Ms Clare Wilkie-Girardin of Shiluvari.

The fire continued to rage through the adjoining land, through the Bertrand property, the La Gaai property and onto the property of Mr Charles Leach.

Again, with the assistance of Mr Fritz Ahrens and his colleagues from the farm watch, the fire was quickly contained. In total, approximately 250ha went up in flames on Thursday.

“The lessons learnt from this fire is the importance of adequate fire breaks … There must be a more concerted effort by all landowners, both those who permanently live on the property, as well as absentee landlords, to ensure that their properties have the required fire breaks as stipulated by law,” said Clare after the fire.

In Louis Trichardt, a massive fire also raged in the veldt adjacent to Leeu Street on Thursday. Thick smoke had residents gasping for breath as the fire burned uncontrolled well into the night. Fortunately the rain clouds came and by morning a heavy drizzle had put an end to the fire´s raging fury.