The fire in the Cederberg Municipality has burnt an estimated 34,000 hectares, since it began on the 22nd December 2025.
It has moved through Algeria, Driehoek, Kromrivier, Stadsaal and Truitjieskraal, burning vegetation.
No lives or homes were lost as a result.
Cape Nature said this week, a wooden cottage and a caravan at Driehoek, were affected by the fire.
Franquin Petersen, Director of Community Services and Public Safety in the Cederberg, said firefighting, monitoring, and containment operations are ongoing, under challenging conditions, including rugged terrain, weather variability, and access limitations.
But he thanked various stakeholders for their role in efforts to combat the fire, including agencies, partners, landowners, volunteers, and community members.
Firefighters are from CapeNature, the West Coast District Municipalities, the Greater Cederberg Fire Protection Association, with support from Working on Fire (WOF) and Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS).
“While we acknowledge that there are efficiencies and constraints within the system, this incident has once again demonstrated the dedication and resilience of our teams and partners. We remain committed to strengthening coordination, improving operational readiness, enhancing communication, and advancing excellence in local government service delivery, particularly within public safety and disaster response” said Petersen.
Gerrit Matthyse, Municipal Manager, said the annual increase of fires, requires the town to change its approach to fire fighting.
“It’s my intention to explore in 2026, in collaboration with the West Coast District Municipality (WCDM), Cape Nature, Working on Fire, or any other agency, to provide basic firefighting training to farm workers or privately owned properties in the Cederberg area, creating a bigger pool of first responders to protect infrastructure and livelihoods, within the parameters of legislation” said Matthyse.
Cape Nature’s Matjiesrivier nature reserve, in the area, is closed until further notice, including all its hiking trails- Algeria and Bosherberge Campsites, Stadsaal, Truitjieskraal.
Nearby private facilities are also closed- Driehoek and Kromrivier – Cederberg Park.
Sites that remain open are Sandrif, Wolfberg Cracks, Oasis and Nuwerus.
Picture: Supplied