Firefighters Gain Ground on Cape Winelands Blazes Amid Favorable Weather

After a week of battling unrelenting fires in the Cape Winelands, firefighters have welcomed a change in weather conditions, which has greatly assisted in containing the blazes. Cooler nighttime temperatures and the absence of strong winds have played a pivotal role in improving the situation.

In a recent update, the Cape Winelands District Municipality’s (CWDM) Fire Services indicated that the two primary fire lines in Bain’s Kloof/Slanghoek and Elandsberg are still active but have decelerated due to the favorable weather, providing some relief to the firefighting teams.

The fire service’s strategic interventions, coupled with the easing weather conditions, mitigated potential damage around 10pm when a fire line in Bain’s Kloof threatened nearby structures in Steenbok Park. The quick response from the teams and the subsequent diminishing winds allowed an efficient redirection of the fire away from potential harm.

The area continues to be under surveillance as the fire remains dynamic, with authorities maintaining close watch over the active fire lines. On the Slanghoek front, the slowing of the fire has given ground teams, alongside landowners, the opportunity to construct fire breaks that shield the vineyards and other structures from the spreading flames.

Despite the controlled conditions, the CWDM cautioned that Bain’s Kloof Pass and Slanghoek Road are at risk of closure should the situation escalate. Motorists are advised that the use of these roads is at their own discretion and should remain aware of the potential for rapid changes.

One of the successful strategies deployed has been the initiation of backburns—an effective firefighting technique that eliminates fuel ahead of a wildfire. Pre-emptive measures will persist as part of the ongoing firefighting efforts.

The fires continue to burn, particularly on the west side, in areas that are difficult to access. Despite this, the fire line is sporadic and poses no immediate threat to infrastructure at present. The assistance of cooler weather has been a particularly beneficial factor for containment efforts on this side of the fire.

The CWDM Fire Services has received significant backup from various organizations and municipal resources. Currently, 10 ground crews and 18 firefighting vehicles—a workforce of 158 individuals, exclusive of administrative staff—are involved in the operation. Organizations like NCC and aerial support, Leading Edge Aviation, neighboring district municipalities, CapeNature, the Volunteer WildFire Services, Working on Fire, and others have been integral to these efforts. These teams, along with the Department of Fisheries, Forests and Environment, the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, and the Fire Protection Association, have formed a unified Incident Command Post (ICP) to coordinate the firefighting response.

As the situation remains fluid, firefighting efforts continue to be vigilant and proactive. The cooperation between different services and the utilization of extensive resources have been key in managing these wildfires, which are a recurring challenge in the region.