10.01.2026
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Mixed progress in Western, Eastern Cape fires, crews remain deployed

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Fires in the Western Cape’s Mossel Bay have kept residents on edge and fire crews on high alert.

Although the fires have now been brought under control, teams remain deployed to monitor hotspots and prevent flare-ups.

Meanwhile, the Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services says the fire in the Langrug and Franschhoek areas in the Boland are still burning out of control despite last night’s cool weather.

The municipality says they have however made significant progress overnight with several other fires in the district. Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services spokesperson, Anesca Roodt, says a reconnaissance flight will be conducted to assess the full extent of the fire and to determine its current direction.

“This assessment will inform the operational plan for the day as active firefighting and mitigation efforts continue. The fire reported yesterday in Stormsvlei continues to burn, with an active fire line of approximately 2 km. Two fresh ground teams have been deployed this morning to continue active firefighting operations. De Wet Cellar, Worcester CWDM Fire Services confirm that the fire reported yesterday afternoon at De Wet Cellar in Worcester has been successfully contained. No damage to infrastructure and no injuries have been reported in relation to any of the fires.”

In the Kouga municipality, Eastern Cape, says there has been little damage to property as a few houses were affected by the current fires.

The municipality says they have also had no reports of fatalities. Parts of a plastic factory were also damaged , with no damage to the building.

Firefighters are still busy with a concerning blaze in the Kabeljous area, where a plane is also deployed to assist to put out the fires.

The municipality mayor, Hatingh Bornman says 40 people were sheltered at a temporary accommodation as they were evacuated from their homes for safety.

“There were 40 people evacuated to some of our community facilities , we were able to house them for the night and give some shelter to them . There are more people that evacuated but they were able to go to a friend or family houses . There were quiet a few more outside St Francis, so exact numbers are very hard but that is what we have at the moment.”

Kabeljous in Jeffreys Bay remains an area of concern, as a helicopter, water bomber plane and fire trucks are fighting hard to get the blaze under control.

Water and electricity remain an issue for the area.

“We got second we got another airplane coming very soon as well as the third helicopter will be joining us very soon which will make a huge focus in our capacity to fight fire around St Fancis bay we have asked residence in the Kramme river area to evacuate but at this stage no other areas needed to evacuate we will keep residence update. The electricity is off there because of the mainline from eskom that has burnt. Eskom is on the ground busy fixing the problem but we don’t expect electricity to come back soon,” says Bornman.

RELATED VIDEO | Wildfire burning in the Keurbooms–Soetkraal area – Update with Tanya Krause
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJqfx-GRjHo

 

N2 reopened

The N2 between Jeffrey’s Bay and Humansdorp that was closed earlier due to the re-ignition of the veld fires in the area has reopened.

The R102 experienced the most congestion this morning as traffic was diverted to this road. Some smaller roads in Jeffrey’s Bay and St Francis Bay are also closed as the fires continue.

 

Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services spokesperson, Anesca Roodt, says a reconnaissance flight will be conducted this morning to assess the full extent of the fire and to determine its current direction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5WYGLEkhb0

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