Western Cape municipalities manage to contain fires, but SAWS warns of warm to hot temperatures this week

Western Cape municipalities have managed to make some gains in containing several fires in the province, but will likely have to be on guard as the SA Weather Services has forecast warm to hot temperatures for the rest of the week.

Over the weekend, several municipalities were battling to contain blazes within the province, which led to the destruction of several properties.

The Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association (FPA) said that although overnight rain brought much-needed relief to the Kleinriviersberg/Tesselaarsdal (mountain) veldfire, they were not "out of the woods yet".

“On Tesselaarsdal to Landskein (Sir Robert Sanford): The ground teams have made good progress overnight on this part of the line. The cooler weather assisted the ground teams. Landowners should continue with mop-up throughout the day.

“Quarry to Misty Mountains: This is the most active part of the line currently. The fire department will use vehicles as far as possible to contain and limit the spread of this line. Landowners are requested to assist as far as possible on this line,” the FPA said.

“The rule for the day is wherever there is smoke, put it out. Where landowners can create control lines on or near the perimeter of the fire, please do so. Control lines will also assist in limiting and containing any flare-ups later on.

“Wildegarden to Glen Oaks: The cool colder weather assisted and minimised the spread of fire on this line overnight. A Ground team is being deployed on this line to help secure it. Landowners should continue with mop-up throughout the day where they can get onto the lines.

“Glen Oaks to Tesselaarsdal: This line has been worked on throughout the day yesterday. With the predicted southern wind direction, this is a high-priority line. Ground teams will assist in limiting the spread and working towards containment of this line,” the FPA said.

Garden Route District Municipality had their hands full containing the wildfire in Aasvoëlberg, Albertinia. On Monday, the municipality’s fire chief, Deon Stoffels, said that they are now monitoring for hotspots.

“The Riversdale team is at the fire, monitoring and patrolling the fire area to see if there are no hotspots that need to be detected.

He added that they are also attending to the Oudtshoorn fire, occurring adjacent to the Military Base, which started at around 1pm.

“Garden Route District Municipality and Oudtshoorn Municipality Fire & Rescue Services are currently deployed. Military personnel are also on scene.”

The Drakenstein Municipality is meanwhile continuing with mop-up operations in the aftermath of Saturday night’s fire at the Thembani Informal Settlement in Mbekweni, which destroyed approximately 40 informal dwellings.

“Drakenstein Municipality has been working tirelessly alongside affected residents and relief organisations to support recovery and rebuilding efforts.

“Cleanup operations continued into Monday, 22 December 2025, with teams clearing and levelling the area to prepare the site for rebuilding. Families displaced by the fire were given the option to be accommodated at the local community hall, and the area was being cleared,” the municipality said.

“Essential assistance followed swiftly. Food parcels, care packs with toiletries, and blankets were distributed, while Gift of the Givers provided warm meals to those affected. As cleanup work continued, families received much-needed meals to ensure no one went hungry during this challenging time.

“Once the site has been fully prepared, affected families will receive starter packs to help them begin rebuilding their homes. The municipality has also engaged the Department of Home Affairs to assist residents who lost important documents in the fire.”

The municipality has extended its heartfelt thanks to all partners, organisations and community members who have shown compassion.

On Monday, SA Weather Services forecaster, Betty Makwakwa, said that the extremely hot and uncomfortable conditions were expected over the West Coast, Cape Winelands, Central and Little Karoo districts for Monday, but that “for the rest of the week, warm to hot temperatures can be expected over the Western Cape”.

“In terms of the weather forecast for Christmas and Boxing Day, cloudy to partly cloudy conditions can be expected over the southern parts, otherwise fine conditions in most parts.”

theolin.tembo@inl.co.za