DocumentOngoingOther

Overstrand Fire Update Pearly Beach Stanford Fires 13 January 2026 0600

Overstrand Local MunicipalityRef: https://www.overstrand.gov.za/overstrand-fire-update-pearly-beach-stanford-fires-13-january-2026-0600/

Official source

Source domain: overstrand.gov.za

Collected on 17 June 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

What this means

This is a news update posted by the Overstrand Municipality about the Pearly Beach and Stanford fires as of 13 January 2026 at 06:00. It reports limited overnight fire activity, that all roads affected by both fires are open, and gives estimated burned areas (Pearly Beach ~30,000 hectares in its 10th day; Stanford ~10,000 hectares in its 7th day). The update also describes firefighting challenges at Stanford (old/dry veld near Koudevlakte) and renewed burning and expected wind-driven pressure at Pearly Beach. It further states that Overstrand Municipality is concerned about deliberate fire-setting and describes an incident involving burning cables near the Stanford graveyard on 12 January 2026, leading to arrests and charges under the National Veld and Forest Fire Act (Act 101 of 1998).

What this document offers

Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

public information / tip-off opportunityOngoing

Report suspicious activity related to the Pearly Beach and Stanford fires

The municipality asks the public to report suspicious activity related to the fires so law enforcement can investigate deliberate fire-setting and related incidents.

Who it is for: members of the public
How to act on it: Report suspicious activity related to the fires to the Overstrand Municipality (as described in the update).

The document's recorded date is 12 January 2026. Confirm on the official source.

Show the line this came from

OVERSTRAND FIRE UPDATE: PEARLY BEACH STANFORD FIRES (13 January 2026 @ 06:00) - Overstrand Municipality

Facts

Reference

https://www.overstrand.gov.za/overstrand-fire-update-pearly-beach-stanford-fires-13-january-2026-0600/

Key Takeaways

Overstrand Municipality fire update
Pearly Beach and Stanford fires
Date/time: 13 January 2026 @ 06:00
Overnight activity: limited at both sites
Roads affected by both fires: open
Pearly Beach fire: 10th day; ~30 000 hectares burned
Stanford fire: 7th day; ~10 000 hectares burned
Stanford Fire Services: Swartland Municipality Fire Services assisting with mop-up
Stanford fire context: area last burned through Koudevlakte in 2006; old/dry veld increases intensity
Accessibility challenge: crews access only perimeter; landowners created access routes
Pearly Beach fire: fire line above Byeneskrans burning higher; wind direction change expected; flare-ups possible
Deliberate fire-setting concern; municipality offers a reward (amount not stated in text)
Incident: 12 January 2026 ~19:30 near Stanford graveyard; smoke noticed; female suspect seen jumping fence
Evidence: burning cables found; cables booked under CAS 37/01/2026
Arrests: 23-year-old female handed to Stanford SAPS; two male suspects aged 15 and 20 arrested
Charge: National Veld and Forest Fire Act (Act 101 of 1998)
Case handed to Detective Branch (CID) for further investigation
Public appeal: report suspicious activity related to fires
Overstrand Municipality
Swartland Municipality Fire Services
Stanford SAPS
Law Enforcement officers
Detective Branch (CID)
National Veld and Forest Fire Act (Act 101 of 1998)
Koudevlakte
Pearly Beach
Stanford
Byeneskrans
Stanford graveyard