WC fires: Firefighting efforts continue in Cape Winelands

CAPE TOWN - A new week has come and there has still been no respite for firefighters in the Cape Winelands District Municipality.
 
Multiple fires broke out in the region last week, with firefighting efforts hampered by strong winds and soaring temperatures.

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While progress has been made on various fires in Wellington and Witzenberg, firefighting continues in some areas on Monday.

"In Wellington, teams had their hands full late last [Sunday] night as a flare-up on Doolhof threatened property,” said the municipality's Jo-Anne Otto.

“Fire and ground crews were able to prevent any damages, and the fire is now under control."
 
Otto said farmers in the area activated aerial resources administered via the Winelands Fire Protection Association late Sunday afternoon.
 
"All fires in the Wellington area have been contained. However, the ground is still very hot in places, making monitoring and mopping up a priority."

NEWLANDS FIRE

Aerial resources have been deployed to the flare-up fire near Newlands.
 
Hiking trails remain closed to mountain users while fire crews battle the blaze in inaccessible stretches of the mountain.  

The Table Mountain National Park's Megan Taplin said crews are hoping to make headway before the wind picks up.

“Wind is predicted to come up. We have already seen some flareups overnight with the wind picking up in the early hours of the morning. 

“So, we do expect that the fire will spread on the right flank as well as maybe the top of the fire. That’s why we are trying to concentrate on this as early as possible this morning.”