Devastating wildfire sees Jonkershoek, Assegaaibosch and Assegaaiboschkloof Nature Reserves closed for public access until further notice.
The fire that started on Sunday 21 February 2021 near the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve continued for two weeks and caused severe ecological damage. A portion of the fire raged through the Jonkershoek Valley which has resulted public access to Jonkershoek and Assegaaibosch Nature Reserves to close temporarily until September 2021. During this time, the CapeNature Team along with specialists will conduct patrols, post fire monitoring, and ensure undisturbed recovery of the veld at its most sensitive stage.
This fire proved to be extremely difficult to contain due to extreme terrain and weather patterns that were not conducive to fire suppression. The structural damage was limited due to the excellent teamwork by all agencies assisting with firefighting efforts under extreme conditions. Two CapeNature firefighters sustained serious burn injuries while fighting the fire in the Jonkershoek Valley and are currently being treated in hospital. Our heartfelt thanks to all who assisted our firefighters with immediate on-site medical treatment and getting them to hospital quickly. They have both undergone surgery and are in a serious but stable condition.
CapeNature needs to do a thorough assessment of damages to the hiking trail and other infrastructure such as signage, bridges, trails, etc. of the Jonkershoek and Assegaaibosch Nature Reserves. It is expected that soils of certain parts of the hiking trail network may have been become “hydrophobic” because of the intense heat. Allowing visitors on the trails for walking, hiking and mountain biking could lead to further damage of footpaths and other trails, and could also worsen during winter rains, potentially causing severe erosion.
In addition to the environmental damage caused which already poses significant restrictions on all activities within the reserve, unfortunately the Jonkershoek area, the burn scar area, including Jonkershoek, Assegaaibosch, Bergriver dam and the mountains behind Banhoek will remain CLOSED to all access. This will have a direct implication on all events and filming activities which will be prohibited until further notice.
CapeNature CEO Dr Razeena Omar says “Our thoughts and prayers are with our two brave firefighters and their families and we wish them strength as they continue their journey to recovery. The damaged land will also require much time to repair and restore. We call on the public through the support of organised hiking groups to advise friends and family to stay away for a while. Allowing the landscape to rest provides opportunity for the first season’s growth to provide ground cover to prevent further damage.”
We apologise for the temporary inconvenience this closure causes but assure all concerned that this is an informed decision and in the best interest of public safety and environmental recovery. Outdoor enthusiasts will still have a wide range of alternative CapeNature destinations to explore across the Western Cape.
Related News
Don’t Be Trashy campaign fights waste on land and sea in Western Cape
CapeNature, in partnership with Soapbox and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP), is working on the “Don’t Be Trashy” Drive to address the growing threat of waste to ecosystems across the province.
Celebrate the 11th annual Access Week and grab your chance to experience nature for free!
Rediscover the beauty of the Western Cape’s protected areas during the 11th annual Access Week, taking place from 20 to 26 September 2025. CapeNature is celebrating over a decade of breaking down barriers to the Western Cape’s natural spaces, with free day visitor entry to selected reserves across the province.
Catch and release helps to conserve the Western Cape’s indigenous fish
Freshwater ecosystems across the Western Cape are rich in biodiversity, supporting a variety of indigenous fish. However, these species are increasingly threatened by the spread of invasive alien fish species, that prey on indigenous species and compete with them for food, space, and breeding grounds.
Celebrating innovative, resilient women in tourism
Women are thriving in tourism and wielding influence from the boardroom to hiking trails, where they beat a pathway for others to follow. They occupy 70% of the tourism workforce in South Africa, and their voices are being amplified in the sector now more than ever. A powerful yet often overlooked statistic that underscores their vital role in the sector.
Rivers, Watersheds, and the Klein Estuary: A 2025 Natural Breach Event
Over millions of years, South Africa’s rivers and watersheds have evolved through the forces of erosion, rainfall, and shifting geology. A river catchment, or watershed, is an area of land where all surface water flows toward a single river, stream, or channel, eventually reaching the sea.
Avian Influenza detected in Western Cape: Public urged to stay alert, not alarmed
High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI or “bird flu”) is a viral disease of birds that can also, on rare occasions, infect humans and mammals. The virus spreads through bird faeces and droplets from the nose and mouth, and is present in other body fluids and tissues of dead birds. The disease can cause high mortality rates in domestic poultry.
How can I assist you today?
How can I assist you today?