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UPDATE: 6.30pm, Friday 23 January - The Franschhoek Pass is open, as a few active fire spots remain in the higher-lying areas of the Franschhoek mountains.
Teams from CWDM, NCC and CapeNature are positioned in the mountains above Franschhoek, where monitoring and mopping-up operations are underway in certain areas.
"One active fire line remains high up in the mountains. At this stage, there is no threat to property. Teams from the Overberg District are conducting firefighting operations on their side of the pass," the CWDM said, with further updates issued as needed.
UPDATE: 8:30am, Friday 23 January - The Franschhoek Pass remains closed to traffic, as firefighters continue efforts to quell the fires that started almost a week ago in the mountains above Franschhoek.
In the early hours of Friday morning, the fire line burning on the right-hand side of the Franschhoek Pass, when travelling in the Villiersdorp direction, threatened nearby guest houses and farms but was fortunately pushed by towards the mountainous areas, the CWDM said in a statement.
Firefighting teams responded rapidly, preventing the fire from spreading into new areas on the opposite side of the road and protecting guest houses and farms in the area. The fire remains active on the right-hand, Theewaterskloof side of the pass and is also burning on the Overberg side.
"Teams will be deployed to all accessible areas, with efforts focused on bringing the active fire line under control. Ground teams and fire crews continue with monitoring and mopping-up operations in all other affected areas."
The firefighting teams expressed their sincere thanks to the farmers and agri-workers who assisted during the night.
UPDATE: 5:30pm, Thursday 22 January - Firefighters are making progress to contain a fire that has swept through the mountains above Franschhoek over the last week.
"Unfortunately, the remaining active line is currently being pushed from the mountain ridge back toward Franschhoek. Firefighters remain concerned that this line may reach areas with a high fuel load," the latest CWDM statement said as ongoing efforts by the CWDM fire crew, volunteer Wildfire Services, NCC and CapeNature continue.
Only one fire line remains active, as the teams implement extensive damping-down and mopping-up operations to minimise the risk of further flare-ups over the coming days. The Franschhoek Pass is closed due to the smoke hazard.
The first wildfires in the Franschhoek area, which began on 8 January, burned an estimated 19,000 hectares and, this past week, took the torched veld to 23,500 hectares. The total costs and long-term impact on the region are still being determined.
"The CWDM extends its sincere thanks to all partner agencies and to the Franschhoek community for their continued support and generosity."
UPDATE: 6:30am, Thursday 22 January - The Franschhoek Pass has reopened after being closed due to poor visibility as firefighters battled multiple flare-ups late on Wednesday afternoon, causing several fire lines to spread rapidly up the mountain slopes.
Firefighting operations continue in the mountains above Franschhoek today, with multiple aerial resources deployed to support firefighting efforts and ensure property protection, according to the latest statement from CWDM.
No structures were damaged, and no injuries were reported. A a more detailed update will be released once an inspection of the affected areas is complete.
UPDATE: 9:30am, Wednesday 21 January - Several active fire lines continue to burn in the mountains above Franschhoek, as the firefighting efforts enter day five after a "very difficult night, focusing on active property protection under extremely challenging conditions," the latest CWDM statement said.
The fire started on Saturday, 17 January and has raged through large parts of the Franschhoek Valley. The Franschhoek Pass, however, remains open to traffic. An alert for hot, windy conditions on Wednesday will keep firefighting efforts highly dangerous, increasing the risk of flare-ups and heat-related incidents.
The public is advised to avoid affected areas due to the potential for sudden, unpredictable fire behaviour. On Tuesday evening, aerial resources were briefly deployed in response to sudden flare-ups near the Three Streams farm, but they had to be deactivated due to very strong winds gusting between 50 and 80 km/h.
"There are currently three fire lines burning high up in inaccessible terrain above the Berg River Dam. A fourth fire line is burning in the mountains above Franschhoek, between the Cape Winelands and Overberg District municipal areas," CWDM confirmed.
While no injuries, loss of life, or structural damage have been recorded, some equipment was damaged during the sudden flare-up on Tuesday evening.
"Firefighting teams have also expressed their sincere appreciation for the selfless support and donations from the Franschhoek community. This support makes a meaningful difference and greatly boosts morale under demanding conditions," CWDM added.
UPDATE: 5.30pm, Tuesday 20 January: Strong winds gusting up to 50 km per hour are hampering firefighting efforts in difficult-to-reach terrain, as fires continue to burn on various lines in the Franschhoek Valley.
There are several fire lines causing concern, ground teams have been deployed to the lines, where accessible, the latest CWDM statement said.
The wind is also preventing the deployment of aerial resources, further hampering firefighting activities; however, CWDM fire services, together with CapeNature teams, will continue with active firefighting and property protection throughout the night.
Fires in Ida’s Valley and Pniel were also reported earlier but were quickly contained.
Residents should note that suppression activities will continue to cause excessive smoke and that any need for an emergency evacuation will be communicated directly to residents as and when necessary.
UPDATE: 9:30am, Tuesday 20 January: The intense Franschhoek fire has rapidly advanced from the elevated terrain of the mountain, moving towards Three Streams, and has now encroached upon Holiday Farm La Bri.
Lewis Fire Crew B is now urgently deployed to combat the devastating wildfire at Holiday Farm, La Bri.
UPDATE: 8:30am, Tuesday 20 January: The Franschhoek fires continue to burn "out of control", despite the Cape Winelands District Municipality’s (CWDM) Fire Services, together with CapeNature and the Winelands Fire Protection Association (FPA), working through the night to contain the blaze that started on Saturday, 17 January.
"Very strong winds drove the fire up an area known as Assegaai-bos, from where it jumped the Berg River and ignited new fires on the mountain above the river. Due to the steep, uneven terrain and dense vegetation, ground teams are only able to access the fire lines when conditions allow," the CWDM statement said.
The teams are assessing the situation on Tuesday morning to outline resources and suppression strategies further. Firefighting efforts are focused on protecting property on farms in the area, with residents evacuating as a precautionary measure.
"Residents are advised that water bombing and other fire suppression activities may result in heavy smoke. It is recommended that windows and doors be kept closed, particularly for individuals who are sensitive to smoky air." Any need for an emergency evacuation will be communicated directly to residents, as and when necessary.
Fire crews and vehicles from CWDM’s Stellenbosch, Worcester and Paarl fire stations remain on scene, supported by CapeNature’s Working on Fire. And a team from the Volunteer Wildfire Services. Smaller fires in the Wellington and Gouda area are also being managed.
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Ongoing impact and trail closures
Wildfires sweeping through the Cape Winelands over the last month have caused severe damage to vineyards, with long-term consequences expected. There has been significant damage to the Mont Rochelle Reserve's trail network, and the worsening firefighting conditions have forced its indefinite closure. Essential maintenance and repairs will be carried out as both bridges on the Uitkyk route were recently destroyed, rendering most routes unsafe or inaccessible at this stage.
CapeNature also confirmed that it is assessing the impact on the region and will provide a detailed update on affected trails as soon as possible.
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ICYMI: La Motte Wine Estate unscathed after weekend fires
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