Cape Winelands crew contain weekend wildfires after overnight battle

Fire crews in the Cape Winelands have spent the night battling several wildfires that started over the weekend, with some lines now contained while others continue to burn.

The district’s fire services, supported by CapeNature and the Winelands Fire Protection Association, say teams have been kept busy but the situation remains largely under control.

The municipality say the fire in the McGregor mountains is still burning high up in a broken line, but it isn’t threatening any properties at this stage.

“Our teams remain on site and are closely monitoring the situation,” municipal spokesperson Jo-Anne Otto said.

In the Witzenberg Valley, flames in the Visgat and Rocklands areas burned out of control overnight, although calmer winds this morning have improved conditions.

“With the wind now calmer, we’re hopeful that we’ll bring this line under control today,” Otto said.

Several other fires have already been contained, including the lightning-caused blaze above the Swaarmoed Pass in Matroosberg and the lines at Goat’s Window and Melozhori near Stormsvlei.

Photo: Supplied

Picture of Oyisa George
Oyisa George

VOC became the first Muslim radio station in South Africa when a special events license was granted to the station in Ramadan/January 1995. Subsequent temporary broadcast licenses were granted, permitting the station to broadcast for 24 hours.

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