News24 | Firefighters battle new blaze after weekend of wildfires in the Western Cape

Cape Winelands District Municipality firefighters are battling a new blaze above De Doorns in the Hex River Valley.

Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM)’s firefighters are battling a new blaze above De Doorns in the Hex River Valley.

The fire on the slopes above De Doorns was reported on Sunday afternoon. Firefighting vehicles, crew and ground teams, supported by the Provincial Disaster Management Centre’s aerial resources, were deployed, CWDM spokesperson Jo-Anne Otto said.

Although the lower flank was secured by nightfall, the upper flank continues to burn in the direction of Touwsrivier, she said.

“Ground teams worked throughout the night to drive the fire line into an area with less vegetation and prevent the fire from burning over the top of the mountain. Teams will continue with active firefighting throughout the day,” she added.

Meanwhile, Otto said a flare-up was reported in Boontjiesrivier on the R46 between Wolseley and Ceres.

Aerial resources, ground teams, and vehicles were quickly deployed, and the flare-up was contained on Sunday night. Ground teams will continue with monitoring and mop-up operations throughout the day.

The municipality has spent the last few days working to extinguish several major fires.

On Sunday, a fire in Idas Valley, Stellenbosch, was contained after the wind eased overnight.

A fire at Du Toit’s Kloof, above the Huguenot Tunnel, was also contained.

In addition, Otto said fires at De Doorns in Hex River Valley and Bo-Swaarmoed, Lakensvlei had been contained.