Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has confirmed that the 2025/26 fire season is proving to be one of the most catastrophic in the province’s recent history, reports Cape {town} Etc.
As of today, an alarming 132,000 hectares of land have succumbed to flames, marking the worst fire season since 2015.
The ongoing wildfires have razed numerous structures and resulted in a significant wildlife death toll, while fortunately, there have been no reported human fatalities.
Winde attributes this to the exemplary coordination and response efforts of emergency services and disaster management teams.
During a pivotal briefing held on Thursday, 22 January 2026, Winde outlined the government’s collaborative efforts to combat the destructive fires that are gripping parts of the province.
‘When tackling disasters such as this, our sole priority is to protect lives and as far as possible infrastructure, including homes,’ Winde stated. ‘It is deeply unfortunate that structures have been destroyed. But our main priority is ensuring public safety,’
This fire season has seen more than double the number of fires compared to the same timeframe in the previous year, placing tremendous strain on firefighting resources across the province.
In a bid to manage the crisis, the Western Cape Government has already allocated over R19 million to aerial firefighting operations between 1 December 2025 and 11 January 2026, with R16 million dedicated solely to enhancing aerial resources vital for combating blazes in inaccessible areas.
‘Local governments have probably spent triple that amount in funding their firefighting operations,’ Winde added. ‘The provincial government picks up the tab for the first hour of aerial firefighting. Ninety per cent of fires are extinguished in that crucial first hour,’
The dedicated response has involved over 1,600 municipal firefighters, supplemented by an additional 1,000 personnel from Working on Fire, all engaged in relentless efforts to contain the fires and protect communities.
Winde reaffirmed the province’s commitment to bolstering disaster response strategies and urged citizens to remain vigilant, adhere to fire restrictions, and report any signs of fire promptly.
The fires are not the only concern facing Western Cape municipalities; water security challenges also plague several regions.
‘Cabinet has requested a provincial disaster declaration from the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC),’ Winde explained. This declaration will empower the provincial government to reallocate resources to enhance firefighting operations and manage water supply crises effectively.
As the fires continue to rage, projections suggest that the current season could stretch into May 2026. The implications of these wildfires extend far beyond immediate devastation; they are exacerbated by prolonged hot, dry, and windy conditions that have gripped the region.
Winde stressed the urgency of the situation: ‘The request for a Provincial Disaster Classification is a preventative and risk management measure. It enables us to strengthen governance and sustain a coordinated response, which is desperately required to mitigate the impact on residents, the economy, and infrastructure,’
The Knysna Municipality is currently facing the brunt of the devastation, but numerous other municipalities are also in dire straits.
The Cabinet has noted with concern the limitations faced by the provincial Department of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, as well as district municipalities—highlighting the extensive nature of the crisis.
While the Western Cape Government’s collaborative firefighting efforts have been commendable, Winde reiterated that the climate crisis mandates a proactive approach in addressing both natural and man-made challenges.
Improved governance and continued attention to crime prevention and law enforcement remain significant challenges that, although primarily managed at the national level, require immediate dialogue with federal ministers.
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Picture: Gallo Images / Ziyaad Douglas
Source: WCG
