Pray the News
Desperate battle to tame raging Kouga fires
The Herald 9 January 2026
Abstratct
"In scenes reminiscent of 2016, fires destroyed infrastructure and grasslands, and brought traffic to a standstill on the province’s busiest road yesterday. Strong winds and dry alien vegetation fuelled three separate fires as they consumed farmlands and infrastructure despite a valiant and desperate battle by firefighters and farmers. Zwartenbosch behind Humansdorp, farms between St Francis Bay and Paradise Beach and the Kabeljauws River area were all ablaze in the afternoon, with dozens of residents forced to evacuate. Though no injuries or loss of life had been reported by the time of publication, and damages were still being assessed, the municipality confirmed several houses had been lost. By night-time, progress had been made in containing the fire between the Kromme River and Paradise Beach, which was under control by sunset. The deployment of a helicopter, which arrived from the Garden Route after a busy shift in fighting the recent Mossel Bay fires, played a significant role in assisting teams to bring the inferno in the Kromme River area under control.
Last night, the main area of concern was Smithtown in the Kabeljauws River area.
The N2 between Jeffreys Bay and Humansdorp was also forced to close due to the massive plumes of smoke severely affecting visibility by the afternoon, with traffic being redirected along the R102.
Travelling through various sections of the region illustrated the extent of the fire, with hundreds of hectares of earth scorched and locals anxiously watching as the blaze moved toward the coastal towns.
Fires have been burning in the area since Tuesday, with firefighters and volunteers exhausted but filled with courage and determination."
Prayer Guidelines
1. Isaiah 43:2 – Promise of Protection
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Pray for protection from burns, smoke inhalation, and injury
How to pray:
Personalize it for safety from burns, smoke inhalation, and injury.
Lord God, as Your Word declares in Isaiah 43:2, when these firefighters walk through the fire in Kouga, let them not be burned, and let the flames not consume them. Surround each one—on the ground, in helicopters, and supporting teams—with Your mighty presence. Protect them from harm, guard their lungs from smoke, and bring them safely through every shift. In Jesus' name, Amen.
2. Psalm 91 – Divine Protection
"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty... He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart... For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Pray for protection, especially for first responders.
How to Pray:
Heavenly Father, we claim Psalm 91 over every firefighter in the Kouga fires today. Let them dwell in Your shelter, resting under Your wings even as they battle the blaze. Command Your angels to guard them in all their ways—on treacherous terrain, in thick smoke, and through long, weary hours. Be their shield and rampart against every danger. Amen.
3. Ephesians 6:10 & Joshua 1:9 – Strength and Courage
Ephesians 6:10 : "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."
Joshua 1:9 (NIV): "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Pray for endurance when physical and emotional strength wanes. Ask for renewed energy and boldness.
How to pray:
Lord, strengthen these exhausted firefighters in Your mighty power (Ephesians 6:10). As they face flare-ups through the night and into today, command them to be strong and courageous, not afraid or discouraged, for You are with them wherever they go (Joshua 1:9). Renew their bodies, sharpen their minds, and fill them with supernatural endurance. Amen.
4. Psalm 46:1 & Habakkuk 3:19 – God as Refuge and Strength
Psalm 46:1 : "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."
Habakkuk 3:19 : "The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he enables me to tread on the heights.
Pray for stability and agility in these hazardous conditions.
How to pray:
Father, You are the refuge and strength for these brave souls—an ever-present help in this wildfire trouble. Make their feet steady like the deer's on the scorched heights, enabling them to navigate dangers safely. Sustain them until the fires are contained. Amen.
5. Psalm 104:4-9 & Job 38:8-11 – God’s Authority Over Wind, Fire, and Waters
Psalm 104:4,7: "He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants... At your rebuke they flee; at the sound of your thunder they take to flight."
Job 38:11: "When I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt’?
"How to pray:
Almighty God, You who make winds Your messengers and flames Your servants, we cry out to You for the raging fires in Kouga. Rebuke these flames as You rebuked the waves—command them to halt, contain them, and bring them to nothing. Calm the strong winds fueling the blazes, and if it be Your will, send cooling rains or favorable changes to extinguish them completely. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Download the Printable Prayer Pointers here
Visit our "Pray for Natural Disasters" Archive Page here
Visit our "Pray the News 2025" Archive Pagere here
Visit our "Pray the News 2026" Page here