The 2025/26 fire season in the Western Cape has been exceptionally severe, with the Cape Winelands District bearing the brunt of the outbreaks. The teams at Stellenbosch Fire Station, along with their partners in the Cape Winelands District Municipality Fire Services, have once again demonstrated remarkable commitment and skill in protecting our community, landscapes and livelihoods.
This month has seen intense wildfire activity across the region, particularly in the mountains above Franschhoek. Starting around mid-January, a significant blaze flared up and persisted for days, driven by strong winds, high temperatures, and rugged terrain. Fire lines spread rapidly, with flare-ups pushing the fire across natural barriers like the Berg River and onto adjacent mountain slopes. Crews from Stellenbosch Fire Station deployed vehicles and personnel to support containment efforts, working tirelessly alongside CWDM teams from Paarl and Worcester, CapeNature’s Working on Fire programme, Volunteer Wildfire Services, and the Winelands Fire Protection Association. Their focus remained on protecting properties, farms, and infrastructure, with no reported loss of life or major structural damage in the affected areas—a testament to their effective response under extremely difficult conditions.
These firefighters and support teams operate around the clock, often in hazardous environments, to safeguard our beautiful valley. Their professionalism, courage, and coordination inspire gratitude from all of us in Stellenbosch and beyond.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the members of Stellenbosch Fire Station and all involved partners for their selfless service during this demanding period. Your efforts help preserve the safety and natural beauty that make our area so special.
To help sustain this vital work – especially in fire prevention, community education, equipment maintenance and readiness for future incidents – we encourage residents, businesses and visitors to consider supporting the teams. Donations, whether monetary or in-kind (such as essential supplies during appeals), make a real difference in enabling proactive measures and ongoing operations.
As the season continues, community support plays an important role in sustaining this work. Donations of non-perishable food items, bottled water, energy drinks and basic supplies help teams stay focused during extended operations.
Those wishing to contribute can drop off donations directly at the Stellenbosch Fire Station. Small gestures of support make a meaningful difference to the people who stand ready to protect the town, its surrounding farms and natural areas throughout the fire season.
Donations* for the fire fighting efforts can be dropped off at the Stellenbosch Fire Station, corner of Helshoogte Road, opposite the Spar.
*Types of donations
- Food and hydration: Bottled water, energy drinks (e.g. Energade/Powerade), energy bars, savoury snacks, non-perishables, sandwiches, nuts, biltong, dried fruit, peanut butter, jam.
- Personal care/medical: Eye drops/wash (saline-based), burn shield/ointment, plasters/bandages, aftersun, Vaseline, lip balm.
- Consumables: Paper plates/cups, refuse bags, AAA/AA batteries.
- Other practical items: Space blankets, socks, t-shirts, towels, blankets (for rest or victims), pet food (if supporting animal rescue alongside).