Firefighters tackle raging vegetation fires in Hout Bay and Camps Bay

Firefighters are battling multiple vegetation fires in and around Hout Bay, with emergency services warning that homes are at risk and urging the public to stay away from affected areas.

In an update issued at 3.30pm on Wednesday, Hout Bay ward councillor Rob Quintas said fires were being managed in the upper Valley Road corridor as well as near Ruyteplaats Estate on the upper Suikerbossie area.

Quintas said the local Fire and Rescue chief was on scene and had confirmed that approximately 25 fire engines and trucks were attending to the blaze, with three helicopters water-bombing areas close to human habitation. Additional helicopters and firefighting personnel were on the way, while SANParks fire rangers had also been deployed.

“There is a risk to homes, and emergency services need to move freely through the area,” Quintas said, urging members of the public to stay clear.

He warned that well-intended public presence could hinder operations and that aerial water drops pose a serious danger to people on the ground.

“Large volumes of water released from a high altitude can cause injury to anyone nearby,” he said.

Separately, the City’s Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that it was attending to slopes alight between Hout Bay and Camps Bay.

An Incident Command Post has been established at the Hout Bay Fire Station, with operations coordinated by an Incident Management Team (IMT) Type Four. Carelse said the situation remains fluid, with challenging wind conditions, and confirmed that property damage has occurred. Further details will be shared once information is received and verified.

Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said three helicopters are currently water-bombing the head of the fire above Llandudno. Crews are actively fighting two active fire fronts — one in a valley in Hout Bay, first reported at about 1.15pm as vegetation alight, and another on slopes above Llandudno.

An Incident Command Post has been established at the Hout Bay Fire Station, with operations coordinated by an Incident Management Team (IMT) Type Four.

Carelse said the situation remains fluid, with challenging wind conditions, and confirmed that property damage has occurred. 

“Some property has been affected, but details will be confirmed once assessments are completed,” Carelse said.

Further details will be shared once information is received and verified.

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