Firefighters battling the blaze on the slopes of Signal Hill on Sunday night above Voetboog Street in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town.
Storm Simpson/News24
A fire has broken out at Mitchell’s Pass near Ceres amid efforts to put out another blaze at La Motte in Franschhoek.
On Sunday, the Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM)’s Fire Services were deployed to Michell’s Pass.
One contracted ground crew is currently on the scene, and two fresh crews will be deployed this morning to continue firefighting efforts.
The CWDM’s Fire Services, together with partners, have also been deployed to La Motte since that fire broke out on Saturday.
Two active fire lines remain. Six firefighting vehicles with crews, supported by a ground team from CapeNature, worked the active fire lines throughout the night. Cooler evening temperatures assisted firefighting efforts.
There has been no damage to or loss of property, and no injuries have been reported.
The area has been plagued by wildfires. Firefighters spent more than a week trying to extinguish a blaze at Wemmershoek, and successfully doused the flames on Thursday after rainfall in the area.
The fire originated in Langrug on Wednesday 7 January, and burnt more than 17 000 hectares. No fatalities or injuries were reported, although the full extent of the damage to property and infrastructure is still being assessed.
Meanwhile, in Cape Town, firefighters responded to a blaze on Signal Hill on Sunday night.
Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said: “Due to the extent of the fire, we had over 60 firefighters being assisted by Table Mountain National Park and Volunteer Wildlife Services.
“At around 01:00 the fire was extinguished, and periodic inspections were completed until 04:30 this morning to ascertain if there were any flare-ups. No property was damaged, and no injuries were reported.”
Carelse said the cause of the fire was still unknown.
