It has been a busy weekend for the the Cape Winelands District Municipality’s (CWDM) Fire Services. On Sunday, December 6 three different wildfires broke out, two of which have since been contained by firefighters.
A wildfire broke out in the Blaauklippen area above Donier Farm in Stellenbosch late Sunday afternoon.
The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s (CWDM) Fire Services, together with partners from Cape Nature and the Fire Protection Services quickly sprung to action and are currently managing the fire in the mountains above Stellenbosch.
In a statement on Monday morning, the CWDM said that aerial resources were successfully deployed to prevent the fire from moving toward farmlands.
“Teams were unable to access the fire during the night, however today 66 ground-based fire fighters where accessible, assisted by eight fire fighting vehicles supplied by CWDM Fire Services, Stellenbosch Municipality, CapeNature and landowners,” the municipality added.
“At this stage around 600 hectares of veld has been burnt. No damage to property has been reported, however there is concern for the safety of several properties.”
A fire in Jonkershoek in Stellenbosch has been contained, however, mopping-up operations will continue throughout the day.
While good progress has been made with the Jonkershoek Fire, another mountain fire started in the Blaauwklippen area late this afternoon, 6 December 2020. Our crews, Cape Winelands District Municipality Fire Crews and Working on Fire continue to battle the blaze. pic.twitter.com/XUum0qSEMg
— ???????????? ???????????? (@StellMun) December 6, 2020
In Kluitjieskraal in Tulbagh, a fire was extinguished and crews have stood down, although periodic monitoring will take place.
⚠️WC Fire Update ⚠️
?Jonkershoek fire continues for the 2nd day. Jonkershoek team has been dispatched with a chopper and a spotter.
?Kluitjieskraal Fire continues, Tulbagh team has been dispatched to release the Hotshot team that worked overnight.#SavingLives
? Jonkershoek pic.twitter.com/xZdsDTlWGZ— Working on Fire (@wo_fire) December 6, 2020
Picture: Facebook / Stellenbosch Municipality / Francois Lombard