[Image: Cape Winelands DM/ Facebook]
The wildfire that erupted near Wellington in the Western Cape Winelands has now entered its third day, with emergency crews locked in a fierce battle against the uncontained blaze.
Cape Winelands District Municipality’s fire services, alongside CapeNature and Winelands FPA, have been fighting relentlessly since the fire broke out on Tuesday at Rooshoek and Oaklands farms, threatening vast stretches of farmland.
Throughout Wednesday night, firefighting crews faced challenges as they worked to control multiple fire lines. Cape Winelands District Municipality spokesperson Jo-Anne Otto reported that teams managed to prevent property damage despite intense flare-ups near Rooshoek and Oaklands farms, per News24.
“The fire lines above Rooshoek and Oaklands caused a few problems during the night. However, crews were able to prevent damage to property,” Otto said. She added that with the entire area consisting of farmland, protecting crops remains a top priority.
At Foxenburg farm, landowners stepped in to help create firebreaks, aiming to halt the fire’s advance toward critical agricultural areas. The wind subsided overnight, offering a brief advantage to firefighters, but the blaze remains out of control.
“Although the CWDM’s fire services report that good progress is being made, but that the fire, which continues to be fuelled by a combination of vegetation and wind, is still active,” the municipality reported in their 5pm update on Wednesday, 19 February.
The Citizen notes that the terrain has been complicating the firefighting efforts from the beginning.
Some divisions were burning against the wind, while others were difficult to access due to the mountainous landscape. In more accessible areas, teams attempted to suppress the fire line by creating fire breaks.
Groenberg in Wellington is burning.
Seems to be slightly under control now, but with this wind it’s a mess.
Let’s sleep until the phone call… pic.twitter.com/5MJyXaV6Mv— Johann (@anderjohann) February 18, 2025
Weather forecasts predict a shift in wind direction, combined with soaring temperatures, raising concerns over potential flare-ups.
“Once it is light and crews can evaluate the whole area, planning for the deployment of resources and crews will take place,” said Otto.
Earlier reports confirmed that the wildfire had already destroyed a house and two sheds, with two cottages evacuated as flames swept through parts of Oaklands on Tuesday night. The evacuated residents have since returned to their homes.
Emergency teams remain on high alert as the wildfire shows no signs of abating, with the battle against the blaze expected to continue throughout the day.
[Source: News24]
