More than 70 000 hectares of CapeNature-managed land have burned during the 2025/26 fire season, but no infrastructure has been lost due to rapid response efforts by the provincial conservation agency and its partners.
As of 12 February this year, 70 785 hectares had burned on CapeNature-managed land, according to a parliamentary written question response. This already exceeds the 43 556 hectares recorded for the entire 2024/25 financial year.
Despite the scale of the fires, CapeNature’s coordinated response prevented infrastructure losses across its managed areas. The organisation deployed large scale rapid initial attack operations, extended multi-day fire suppression, and strategic proactive measures including backburning and counter firing.
During the Cederberg fire alone, 2 049 person days were logged over a 15-day period. This represented the combined efforts of CapeNature teams, Working on Fire, Volunteer Wildfire Services, and district municipality fire crews.
CapeNature operates through formal agreements with four of the five district municipalities in the Western Cape, ensuring integrated fire management and coordinated support across the province.
The organisation is conducting scientific monitoring and long-term environmental management following the fires. Post-fire and permanent protea plot monitoring continues to assess the recovery of natural habitats. Day-to-day operational activities include erosion control, soil stabilisation, and alien plant clearing in priority areas. Specific restoration plans are being developed to guide future rehabilitation efforts.
Dave Bryant, the DA Western Cape spokesperson on local government, environmental affairs and development planning, said CapeNature’s teams deserve recognition for their work during the fire season.
“While the numbers tell a story of a devastating fire season, they also tell a story of incredible heroism and professional excellence,” Bryant said. “To have already surpassed last year’s total burned area while losing no infrastructure is a testament to the skill, sacrifice, and sheer determination of CapeNature’s teams and their partners.”
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