News24 | Cape Winelands fires contained after week-long battle

Firefighters successfully contained wildfires in the Cape Winelands' Montagu and Ashton areas after more than a week of intensive operations, with some respite brought by overnight rainfall.

• Firefighters have successfully contained fires that threatened Montagu and Ashton in the Cape Winelands after more than a week of intensive operations.
• One active line remains in De Doorns where fresh crews from Worcester will join suppression efforts, while overnight rainfall significantly helped.
• A container-style store was lost and several orchards sustained damage during Friday’s gale-force wind conditions, but no injuries were reported.

Firefighters have successfully contained fires that threatened Montagu and Ashton after more than a week of intensive operations, the Cape Winelands District Municipality confirmed on Saturday morning.

All fires have been brought under control in the Montagu area, while one active line remains in De Doorns, where suppression work continues, according to municipal spokesperson Jo-Anne Otto.

The breakthrough came after crews battled overnight against flames which had spread rapidly during Friday’s gale-force wind conditions.

Otto said that crucial rainfall between 02:00 and 04:00 significantly assisted suppression efforts.

“While no active flames remain, smouldering tree stumps and hotspots will require extensive mopping up before the area can be declared fully safe,” she said.

READ | Hot, dry summer increases risk of Western Cape fire season, authorities warn

The fire originated above Zolani on the Ashton side of Kogmanskloof, before crossing the mountains into Montagu.

Friday afternoon saw a dramatic escalation when winds caused the blaze to race down valleys, jump firebreaks, and continue across the R62, igniting trees and vegetation.

She said despite the rapid deployment of ground and aerial resources, a container-style store was lost and several orchards sustained damage.

Active firefighting continued late into the night as crews gained ground when winds eased.

Otto said in De Doorns, the lightning-induced fire had burned for almost a week, but had been partially contained.

She said fresh municipal crews from Worcester would join CapeNature teams on Saturday to tackle the western flank, where suppression continued.

Regarding the De Doorns situation, Otto said:

The Montagu operation involved 19 fully manned vehicles from the Cape Winelands and Langeberg municipalities, four CapeNature ground teams, aerial coordination by the Winelands Fire Protection Association, and volunteers from RRM Security, alongside local landowners.

Otto said it was hoped that cooler temperatures forecast over the next two days would provide more favourable working conditions.

However, authorities remain concerned that strong winds could reignite smouldering areas.

No injuries have been reported during the extensive firefighting efforts across both areas.