News24 | Franschhoek fire spreads down mountain area, destroys building, tractor and threatens farms

The fire in Franschhoek spread down the mountain across a large area, threatening surrounding farms along Wemmershoek Road.

• The Franschhoek fire, which broke out on Wednesday, continues to burn out of control.
• On Saturday night, the fire rapidly spread down the mountains, threatening surrounding farms.
• A reconnaissance flight will be conducted on Sunday morning to fully assess the extent of the fire.

Firefighters in the Cape Winelands Municipality are working around the clock to try and contain a wild blaze that broke out in the Langrug area of Franschhoek on Wednesday.

On Saturday night, the fire rapidly spread down the mountain across a large area, threatening surrounding farms along the Wemmershoek Road (R301).

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According to the municipality, fire crews reported that the fire continues to burn out of control.

“Firefighting efforts, including aerial resources, focused primarily on structure protection. The fire later shifted back toward the R45, where recognised firefighting techniques, including backburns, were implemented,” Cape Winelands District Municipality Fire Services spokesperson Anesca Roodt said.

The fire has claimed one building structure, damaged another, and destroyed a tractor, but no injuries have been reported at this stage.

Roodt added that a reconnaissance flight would be conducted on Sunday morning to fully assess the extent of the fire following Saturday night’s activity.

“This assessment will inform the operational plan for the day as active firefighting and mitigation efforts continue.”

The municipality has requested members of the public not to organise or participate in independent or ad-hoc firefighting groups.

READ | Residents ‘praying for rain’ as wildfires tear through Overstrand

Meanwhile, in the City of Cape Town, more than 5 000 people have been left homeless after a blaze ripped through Dunoon’s Site 5 informal settlement, in what is believed to be the largest informal settlement fire in the Western Cape since the 2013 Khayelitsha fire.

The City of Cape Town said that donations from the public can be dropped off at the following fire stations: Goodwood, Roeland Street, Lakeside, Constantia, Hout Bay, Strand, Wynberg and Milnerton.

These facilities are open 24 hours a day.