By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider 

In the past week, a fire broke out in Franschhoek which has destroyed over 17,000 hectares of land as well as causing destruction to two properties. Cape Winelands Mayor Elna Von Schilicht has addressed the issue and has highlighted that the fires across the area have left strain on the communities. 

“The people living in this District are mostly rural. It’s people living on farms, so they have small houses, they have little belongings and when you see six metre and higher flames approaching your house, it’s a devastating experience. We were fortunate as the Cape Winelands to save most of the structures” said Von Schilicht. 

Despite resources being deployed the runaway field fire had resulted in a thatch home in Paarl being destroyed however two others managed to be salvaged and saved, the thatch home that was destroyed was also said to hold historic significance within the Roggeland community. 

A wildfire also broke out in the La Motte area of Franschhoek on Saturday which called for rapid response with firefighters aiming to salvage the remaining structures and put an end to the fires spreading further across the area.

 Aerial firefighting responses were deployed in the area and were assisted by Volunteer Wildfire Services.

 Other firefighting response teams were deployed such as from Provincial Disaster Management Centre, the Winelands Fire Protection Association and the Cape Winelands District Municipality. 

Anyone travelling in and out of Franschhoek was urged to drive with safety as well as to follow the instructions from traffic officials and to make way for Emergency Response teams. The fire first broke out on Thursday, 15 January and originated in the Langrug area on Wednesday 7 January.