Firefighters continue to battle wildfires that have been raging for several days in Wellington, Boland, and are now facing a new challenge in the Witzenberg Valley, Cape Winelands. Strong winds and dry conditions have caused the fire in the Witzenberg Valley to spread overnight, threatening farmland and complicating firefighting efforts.
Cape Winelands Municipal spokesperson Jo-Anne Otto explained that the fire began on Thursday morning in the upper slopes of the mountain near Tulbagh. It has since spread into farmland areas, including the Wakkerstroom and Ouplaas farms. A team of three fire vehicles and a ground crew are currently working to contain the blaze and protect crops.
Otto noted that firefighting efforts are being hindered by difficult terrain and dense vegetation, with hot, dry conditions expected to worsen, exacerbating the situation.
Regarding the fire in Wellington, Otto stated that firefighting teams are now in their fourth day of operations. "Teams report a challenging night battling the fire in very warm conditions," she said, highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by crews working to control the blaze.