Firefighters raced against fading daylight on Tuesday evening as a vegetation fire broke out high above the Du Toit’s Kloof Old Pass, prompting an aerial and ground response in the Cape Winelands.
The blaze, which was reported at about 5:30pm on 7 April, spread across private land near the mountain pass, sending emergency crews scrambling to contain flames in steep and difficult terrain.
Authorities confirmed that multiple firefighting units were mobilised as smoke became visible across sections of the valley.
In an operational update shared by the Cape Winelands District Municipality, fire services confirmed that teams were dispatched shortly after the alert, deploying 10 firefighting vehicles alongside ground crews working directly along the slopes.
Helicopters were also brought in to assist from above, conducting water-bombing operations to slow the fire’s advance while crews tackled hotspots from the ground.
CapeNature teams joined operations on site, adding additional boots on the ground as containment efforts intensified.
At the same time, motorists were advised that the Du Toit’s Kloof Old Pass, sometimes referred to locally as the old tunnel route, had been closed to all traffic.
Officials clarified that the closure was linked to a separate incident involving two trucks, where recovery operations were still underway and expected to take time.
Emergency crews continued working into the evening, using water hoses and aerial drops to contain the spread while monitoring conditions closely.
Authorities indicated that updates would be issued as conditions evolve, with teams remaining on high alert while containment efforts continue.
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Picture: Cape Winelands District Municipality/Facebook
