Update:
27 January 2024, 5:03pm: A new fire just started on the Slanghoek side of the mountain.
Local resident Chris Loubser provided footage of the fires in Wolseley:
Watch:
Picture: Screenshot from video by Chris Loubser / Facebook
Update:
27 January, 4pm:
The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s (CWDM) fire services are still battling two fires in the Breede Valley and Witzenberg areas that continue to burn out of control.
Kluitjieskraal, Wolseley:
The fire at Kluitjieskraal has two active fire lines. The first one spread into the Bain’s Kloof area, where teams are working to prevent the fire from spreading into the Tweedetol and Steenbok Park.
‘The fire is proving very problematic and there is serious concern that it may jump the road into the opposite side. The evening north-westerly breeze will not help matters,’ the municipality said in a statement.
The second fire line is located on the Gouda/Saron side of the mountain, where fire teams are working toward driving the fire line back toward the upper part of the mountain so that it can burn itself out.
Fairy Glen, Worcester
This fire started in the Brandwacht area above Worcester yesterday and continues to burn out of control as well.
The municipality commended the progress of the firefighting teams, who have made progress in areas where the fire can be reached. There are a few hotspots high in the mountain which are inaccessible to crews and/or aerial resources.
However, it is expected that these blazes will burn themselves out in the rocky terrain.
Currently, 158 personnel are involved in fighting both fires, supported by 18 vehicles and four choppers. Executive Mayor of the Cape Winelands, Dr Elna von Schlicht, says no fire is won by an individual, ‘it is always a team effort.
‘We have a number of partners, and excellent relationships with our neighbours, which is evidenced by the arrival of fire crews and vehicles from the West Coast District and Swartland Municipal Fire Services.’
Motorists are advised that the Bain’s Kloof Pass is only open to fire vehicles and residents. Please use alternative routes.
Winelands fire update – 27 January, 9:30am
As outlined by the Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM), fire services continue to battle two fires in the Breede Valley and Witzenberg areas.
Kluitjieskraal, Wolseley
The fire which started on Monday, 21 January spread to inaccessible areas of the mountain, with a jagged and broken fire line. During the night, the line burned into an area where fire teams and equipment can reach it. Teams will be moving into the area to access and address the fire in that area.
Fairy Glen, Worcester
The fire started yesterday afternoon in the Brandwacht area above the town of Worcester and continues to burn in two areas.
‘The left flank is burning into cliffs and teams are making good progress, while the right-hand flank is a little more troublesome as there is a higher and more dense fuel load. On the flatter ground, there are still some smouldering spots, but that has been mostly contained.’
General:
Although both fires have been contained, the ground remains very hot. Fire crews will be monitoring and mopping up in these areas.
The Bain’s Kloof Pass remains closed to motorists, entry is restricted to fire vehicles and residents only.
Fire and rescue services have requested that motorists give way to fire vehicles, motorists are advised against stopping on the road to view operations, as this obstructs the flow of traffic.
Fairy Glen Farm fire update:
According to the Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM), BVM Fire Services currently has three major fire vehicles, one tanker, two grass and bush fire vehicles, one officer vehicle and 18 ground team members at the scene attending to the fire.
Despite rapid response from all services, all thatch-roofed chalets have been burnt down.
‘All services are aware of the plight of the wild animals and are working together to protect them.
BVM Fire services assisted by two choppers and a ground team from CWDM responded to a fire at the Fairy Glen Nature Reserve.
It has been reported that motorists coming out Brandwacht to view the blaze and take pictures were blocking the roads earlier causing major traffic jams in the surrounding areas and making it difficult for emergency services to gain access to the fire.
Fire crews have requested that road users steer clear of the area, follow the instructions of officials and allow all fire vehicles right of way.
Kluitjieskraal fire update:
CWDM reported that the situation in Bainskloof pass is escalating with fast spreading flames and increasing smoke sweeping across the R301.
‘Fire fighting vehicles are moving along on the pass itself. There is a coordinated approach between provincial traffic and Cape Winelands Fire Services,’ the municipality said.
CWDM added that Bainskloof Pass is closed until further notice.
NCC Wildfire reported that it has crews on both fires, actively attending to it.
Picture: Ilze-Mari Van Zyl
UPDATE:
Footage of a new fire behind Hextex in Raymond Pollet Drive, Worcester, has been widely shared in WhatsApp groups, with the town being under smoke all day as a result of the now three blazing fires.
The origin of the Hextex fire has yet to be determined at this stage.
Cape {town} Etc has reached out to Worcester Fire Department to determine when the fire started.
The Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM) is now fighting two fires exacerbated by changeable weather conditions.
Also read: Cape Winelands fire services battle winds over difficult night
Currently, the major concern is the fire located on the slopes of the mountain leading towards Bain’s Kloof. As of 3pm, fire crews are engaged in protecting property on the mountainside.
The fire is located high on the mountain, above the Calabash Bush Pub, and continues to spread.
A total of 124 personnel are currently involved in the fire, supported by three helicopters and 12 firefighting vehicles. While the pass is open to traffic, heavy smoke is caused by water bombing, which could lead to the unexpected closure of traffic.
Due to this, the municipality advises motorists to make use of alternative routes.
Furthermore, fire services are advising homeowners in the area to clear any brush and/or dead branches from ground structures and to turn on sprayers and water hoses to keep structures and surrounding areas as wet as possible.
The second fire line on the Saron side of the mountain, burning towards the Elandsberg Nature Reserve, continues to burn in spots. This fire is moving slowly and is being monitored.
Flare-ups have been frequent due to the extreme heat, and teams are monitoring and conducting mopping-up operations in the areas where fires have been contained.
The second fire was reported on the Fairy Glen Farm in Worcester. Two helicopters have been deployed, and ground teams and fire vehicles are en route.
The CWDM Fire Services, NCC and Leading Edge Aviation are supported by Witzenberg Municipality’s Fire Services ground and/or aerial support from CapeNature, the Department of Fisheries, Forests and Environment, Working on Fire and the FPA.
Also read:
Update: Challenging conditions hamper firefighting efforts at Kluitjieskraal
Picture: Cape Winelands DM / Facebook