Public urged to stay alert this fire season: Prevent wildfires, save lives
CapeNature is calling on the public to stay alert and proactive as the wildfire season gears up, reminding all that the cost of runaway fires is far greater than many realise. Each year, wildfires threaten lives, destroy homes and infrastructure, and cause lasting damage to the Western Cape’s biodiversity. From displaced families and lost livelihoods to injured wildlife and devastated habitats, the impact is felt across communities, ecosystems, and the economy.
During the 2024/25 fire season, CapeNature’s cost for fire suppression alone exceeded R20 million. Damage to the Entity’s infrastructure was also severe, while private landowners also sustained damage. Legal claims for damages to forests and infrastructure exceeded R300 million.
Yet the true cost of fire cannot be measured in rands alone. Wildfires take lives, displace families, and put communities at risk. They also carry a devastating price for nature. In 2024/25, a total of 97 fires covering over 75 000 hectares burned, destroying vital habitats, threatening wildlife, and reducing biodiversity resilience. Of the area burned, 42% was private land, and 58% CapeNature-managed land. By fighting fire on both private and CapeNature-managed land, the Entity showcases its commitment to containing fire as soon as possible. The losses also remind us that the impact of fire ripples far beyond infrastructure and can undermine the ecological foundation on which both people and nature depend.
Wildfires are a natural part of the landscape, but the increasing frequency and severity of human-caused fires place an unsustainable burden on people and nature alike. With only 19.5% of fires resulting from natural means during the last fire season, preventing fire remains our best protection. By making simple, responsible choices — such as never leaving open flames unattended, disposing of cigarette butts correctly, clearing defensible spaces around properties, and reporting smoke or fire immediately — each person can play a critical role in safeguarding lives and landscapes.
CapeNature also emphasises that fire prevention is not only a government responsibility but a shared community duty.
When a fire breaks out, everyone pays the price, whether through lives lost, infrastructure destroyed, or biodiversity harmed. But when we act before a fire can even start, everyone benefits.
This season, CapeNature is taking an extra step to share practical knowledge with the public. Through the new Fire Fridays with Kai and Friends social media series, CapeNature will provide weekly tips on fire awareness and prevention. The campaign is designed to educate families, schools, and communities in a simple and engaging way, making fire safety knowledge more accessible.
CapeNature calls on all residents, landowners, and visitors to stay vigilant during the wildfire season and to work together in keeping the Western Cape’s people, properties, and natural heritage safe. If prevention fails, detection is the next defence, and the public should report any sign of smoke or fire by dialling 112 from a mobile phone or 10177 from a landline.
Related News
Firefighters honoured after one of the Western Cape's toughest fire seasons
CapeNature hosted an appreciation event in Velddrif on 4 August 2026 to honour firefighters who were on the frontlines during the Western Cape's most recent fire season. A representative group attended the event on behalf of CapeNature's larger cohort of Field Rangers and firefighters working across the Province. Despite extreme heat and challenging terrain, the firefighters remained steadfast in their commitment to protecting communities, infrastructure and the Western Cape's
CapeNature welcomes the conviction of Cape Town couple for wildlife crime
CapeNature welcomes the sentence imposed by the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Mr Zirkie Bernardus Jansen and Mrs Valerie Gayle Simpson-Jansen of Kirstenhof following their conviction on multiple offences relating to the unlawful keeping, possession and transport of reptiles. The couple were each sentenced on 30 July 2026 to pay a fine of R40 000 or serve 18 months’ imprisonment after being convicted on seven counts under the Nature Conservation Ordinance 19 of 1974.
The joy of being outdoors
Life has a way of becoming busy, but sometimes the greatest luxury is simply slowing down. Imagine waking up to fresh mountain air, taking a gentle stroll beneath towering trees, listening to birdsong, or enjoying a quiet cup of coffee while overlooking breathtaking natural landscapes. These are the moments that help us reconnect with ourselves and appreciate the simple joys of life. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the restorative power of nature. That's why we're inviting senior citizens to enjoy peaceful escapes across the Western
Freshwater science takes centre stage at the 2026 SASAqS Conference
The Southern African Society of Aquatic Scientists (SASAqS) is a learned society concerned with the research, management and conservation of inland waters and their associated biota throughout southern Africa. Established in 1964 as the Limnological Society of South Africa, SASAqS provides an important forum for discussion and sharing of scientific ideas. The two cornerstones of the society's activities are the annual conference and the African Journal of Aquatic Science.
Marine Protected Areas hold the key to human wellbeing
On 1 August, we celebrate Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Day, a global occasion first marked in 2021 to recognise the role that MPAs play in conserving our oceans while supporting the wellbeing of people and communities. The day encourages us to appreciate the value of MPAs and the many ways they benefit both us and the extraordinary marine biodiversity they are designed to protect. This year's theme, "Ocean Protection Needs Human Connection," reminds us that conserving our oceans is a shared responsibility.
Bringing Conservation to Life Through Storytelling, Film and Digital Media
When was the last time a film, photograph or story about nature made you stop and feel something? Perhaps it was a breathtaking wildlife documentary. A short social media reel that transported you to a mountain peak. A travel video that inspired your next adventure. Or a story that highlighted the impact of a wildfire and reminded you why conservation matters. Every adventure has a story. Watch ours on our YouTube channel and subscribe for more.