Firefighters successfully contain veld fire near Drakenstein Prison

Cape Winelands District Municipality confirmed that the veld fire near the Drakenstein Prison was contained by 6am on Wednesday, October 22.

The fire, which started on the afternoon of Monday, October 20, on the R301 between Paarl and Franschhoek, was fuelled by strong winds and dense vegetation, causing smoke that hindered firefighting efforts, according to the district municipality.

No infrastructure has been affected. 

Fire crews from the Cape Winelands District and Drakenstein Municipalities, supported by six fire trucks, responded to the scene.

“As the wind settled late on Tuesday evening, firefighting crews were able to create a firebreak ahead of the fire lines, allowing the fire to burn itself out. However, the ground remains very hot, with several smouldering areas. Combined with predicted hot weather, this may lead to occasional flare-ups,” the district municipality said in a statement.