Firefighters contain three Cape Winelands fires with no damage reported

Firefighters from the Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM) have contained three fires that broke out across parts of the district, with no damage to property reported.

According to CWDM Fire Services, two of the fires, in Wemmershoek and Paardeberg, were first brought under control late on Tuesday, December 23. The third, in Kwaggaskloof, was also contained overnight despite challenging conditions.

In Wemmershoek, near Drakenstein, all fire lines were contained except for one section burning above farms in an old plantation area running parallel to Wemmershoek Road. Fire crews and vehicles from CWDM and CapeNature remain on site and will continue working throughout the day to secure the remaining line.

"All structures and netted orchards were successfully protected, and no damages were sustained," CWDM said in a statement. 

The Paardeberg fire in Drakenstein was fully contained late on Tuesday evening following a joint response by CWDM, Drakenstein Municipality and several private firefighting services contracted by local landowners. Officials credited strong cooperation between teams for preventing any damage to farmland or property.

Firefighters in Kwaggaskloof, in the Breede Valley, faced more intense conditions as strong winds drove high flames and repeatedly threatened nearby homes. Aerial support from the Provincial Disaster Management Centre assisted ground crews for approximately an hour before returning to base.

Despite several close calls, firefighters managed to contain the blaze late on Tuesday night, with no property damage reported. Teams will remain in the area for several hours to monitor the site.