UPDATE: Extreme weather hampers firefighting efforts in Cape Winelands

Firefighters continue to battle intense wildfires in the Cape Winelands, with extreme heat and strong winds worsening conditions, particularly around Franschhoek.

Jo-Anne Otto, Deputy Director of Communications for the Cape Winelands District Municipality, says overnight, strong winds caused the fire to jump the Berg River, spreading onto the Stellenbosch side of the mountain. 

"It was a rough night. The wind has wreaked havoc in the area."

She adds that the steep and densely vegetated terrain has limited the crews’ ability to attack the flames directly, forcing them to wait for safer conditions before intervening.

Otto says that some residents voluntarily evacuated their homes due to smoke and safety concerns, while emergency teams focused on protecting historic properties, including thatched-roof homesteads. 

"A lot of resources were spent on property protection last night."

Firefighting crews from multiple agencies remain on high alert, as additional fires have also broken out in Wellington and Gouda.

To listen to Otto in conversation with CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit, use the audio player below: