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Fire Update: Multiple Fires
Posted by Abongile Tyenjana 
on
18 February 2025 11:40 PM
CAT
- 6:30am – 19 February 2025
- The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services, together with partners CapeNature and Winelands FPA, spent a busy night engaged in active firefighting.
- The fire that started on Oaklands farm above Wellington has been most problematic. Gale force winds and high fuel loads provided by eucalyptus plantations and other vegetation caused the fire to spread very quickly. The fire travelled down to the Slangrivier Road where it jumped and moved into the Bo-Hermon area.
- Despite multiple crews, firefighting tankers, purpose-built Landcruisers, and the support of local farmers and agricultural workers, two sheds and a home have been destroyed. Two cottages high on the mountainside were evacuated; however, fire services were able to protect these structures.
- Late last night, the Winelands FPA requested that landowners ensure that access gates, etc., are unlocked to ensure freedom of movement for fire services.
- Damages to crops have been reported; however, at this stage, it is difficult to establish the extent of damages.
- The fire is not contained, and the wind continues to make matters difficult. Due to the weather conditions, choppers will not be able to fly until the wind subsides.
- As soon as it is fully light and the full scope of the situation can be established, plans for mitigation will be put in place. The fire at Boontjiesrivier outside Wolseley has been contained; however, the teams were kept busy throughout the night and are currently engaged in controlling flare-ups, monitoring, and mopping-up activities. The teams here were assisted by NCC and the Witzenberg Municipality’s Fire Services.
- Other than our one firefighter who sustained injuries at Lateganskop, no further injuries have been reported.
- A very hot day is expected across the Cape Winelands. Please note that due to the extreme weather conditions and the multiple fires in the District, no burning is allowed, even if the farmer has a permit from the FPA.
- A new fire has been reported in the Koue Bokkeveld; however, no further information is available at present.
- The next update will be at 11:30 this morning.
Images: CWDM Firefighters: Henry Robbertse and Lotter Lackay
NCC Wildfires Winelands Fire Protection Association Witzenberg Municipality - Official Drakenstein Municipality CapeNature
