Key Takeaways
- A historic thatch house in Roggeland, Paarl was destroyed in a runaway field fire despite a full deployment and extra resources.
- Two other thatch houses were saved due to the efforts of the fire department and the use of special foam.
- A wildfire broke out in the La Motte area of Franschhoek, prompting a large-scale emergency response and the deployment of aerial firefighting support.
- The fire department is prioritizing structure protection, with several buildings reported to be under threat.
- Motorists are urged to drive with caution and follow the instructions of traffic officials in the affected area.
Introduction to the Fires
The recent fires in the Western Cape have highlighted the importance of having a well-equipped and well-trained fire department. Despite the best efforts of the fire department, a historic thatch house in Roggeland, Paarl was destroyed in a runaway field fire. The fire department was called to the scene, and a full deployment was requested, including extra resources from Drakenstein Fire. However, the first building on Bodal Road was already set alight when the crew arrived, and despite heroic actions, it could not be saved.
The Response to the Fire
The fire department used a tanker/pumper and a truck from Paarl Fire Services to try and stop the fire, which had started as a grass fire. The fire department also used a modern CAFS unit to put a thick layer of special foam on the second thatch building, which was right in the fire line and embers flew in the pumping wind. This effort was successful, and the second building was saved, along with another thatch house. The fire department has stated that there will be a case made against the people who set the fire in the grass nearby.
The Wildfire in La Motte
A wildfire broke out in the La Motte area of Franschhoek on Saturday afternoon, prompting a large-scale emergency response. The Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM) dispatched its Fire Services to the scene, and additional firefighting resources from Stellenbosch Municipality were also deployed. The response has been bolstered by aerial firefighting support, contracted ground teams, and the Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS). The fire department is prioritizing structure protection, with several buildings reported to be under threat.
The Ongoing Efforts
The fire department is working to protect nearby structures, and aerial resources from multiple partners have been deployed, including the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, the Winelands Fire Protection Association, and contracted aircraft from CWDM. Motorists traveling in and around Franschhoek have been urged to drive with caution, follow the instructions of traffic officials, and give way to emergency vehicles accessing the affected area. The CWDM has stated that unless there are significant changes, the next official update on the fire will be issued on Sunday, 18 January 2026.
Previous Fires in the Area
The blaze in La Motte comes just two days after tireless firefighting efforts and significant rainfall resulted in the containment of a wildfire which broke out in Wemmershoek, Franschhoek on Thursday, 15 January. The Wemmershoek fire originated in the Langrug area on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, and over 17 000 hectares of land were burned during this time. The fire department has been working tirelessly to contain the fires in the area, and the recent rain has helped to alleviate the situation.
Conclusion
The recent fires in the Western Cape have highlighted the importance of having a well-equipped and well-trained fire department. The fire department has been working tirelessly to contain the fires, and the use of special foam and aerial firefighting support has helped to save several buildings. However, the destruction of the historic thatch house in Roggeland, Paarl is a reminder of the dangers of fires and the importance of taking precautions to prevent them. The fire department will continue to work to protect nearby structures, and motorists are urged to drive with caution in the affected area.