WC fires: 2 fires in Wellington contained; firefighters battling Witzenberg, Oaklands fires

CAPE TOWN - The Cape Winelands District Municipality said that firefighters had a very challenging night fighting fires in difficult circumstances. 
 
In Wellington, the fires at Dunstone and Rooshoek have both been contained. 

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They were also able to protect a restaurant and a guest house in the top part of the valley at Doolhof.  
 
Good progress has also been made at the fires in Witzenberg, where the right flank is fully contained. 
 
Fire services spokesperson, Jo-Anne Otto, said the situation at Oaklands was somewhat different. 
 
Late on Saturday afternoon, the combination of wind and high fuel load drove the fire down the valley where it jumped a gravel road into an old eucalyptus plantation.

"Through consistent backburning, by around 4 o’clock this morning, teams were able to divert the fire from reaching horse stables and the protea plantations. In the mountain above Tulbagh, the fire line is still active but moving slowly down the mountain. Working on Fire, CapeNature's contractors, will take over in that area this morning and will perform backburns to stop the fire from spreading."