Drakenstein Municipality has confirmed that the fire on Paarl Mountain that broke out in the early hours of Thursday morning has been contained, while active firefighting – in cooperation with the Cape Winelands District Municipality – is still ongoing.
With smaller spots still smoldering in higher areas, the municipality says firefighting vehicles have been placed at strategic points to monitor the situation.
“To fight the fire in areas that were not accessible by vehicles, the Cape Winelands District Municipality employed three helicopters to support the efforts and undertake strategic firebombing,” it said in a statement.
The municipality says its priority at this stage is to ensure that the fire does not spread across Jan Phillips Drive and to secure all nearby structures, properties, and homes.
The Cape Winelands District Municipality says four vehicles with crew supported by three choppers from Leading Edge Aviation and two contracted ground teams assisted Drakenstein with fire fighting efforts.
The cause of the fire is still unknown.
