Brief
Western Cape faces heightened wildfire risk as El Niño drives dry summer
The province's latest State of Conservation report shows a three‑fold increase in burned area, while officials warn of variable winds and strained ecosystems.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The Western Cape is bracing for a "cruel" summer as the El Niño weather pattern is set to bring below‑normal rainfall, higher temperatures and dry vegetation, BizCommunity reported on 1 October 2026. The province's State of Conservation report recorded 107 fires that scorched 215,936 hectares during the 2025/26 reporting period, nearly three times the 75,174 hectares burned by 97 fires in the previous period.
The South African Weather Service has warned that El Niño does not automatically cause drought, but its associated reduced rainfall and heat can create conditions where fires ignite more easily and spread rapidly. Wind is expected to be variable, increasing danger for firefighters on the line.
Western Cape Provincial Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Anton Bredell said, "El Niño does not drive fire on its own, but it can create the conditions that allow fires to become more frequent, more intense and more difficult to contain," and added that "when vegetation dries out, even a small ignition can quickly become a significant wildfire, particularly when combined with hot, dry and windy conditions."
The biodiversity outlook is also worsening. The report shows 212 of the province's 346 assessed ecosystem types are now classified as threatened, up from 191 of 350 in the prior period. Freshwater ecosystems are especially vulnerable, with 79 of 96 types deemed threatened, and estuarine threats rose from 44 to 45 of 54 types.
Key facts
- 107 fires burned 215,936 hectares in the 2025/26 period (bizcommunity.com)
- The South African Weather Service warned of below‑normal rainfall linked to El Niño (bizcommunity.com)
- 212 of 346 ecosystem types in the Western Cape are now classified as threatened (bizcommunity.com)
- Anton Bredell said El Niño creates conditions for more frequent and intense fires (bizcommunity.com)
Sources
- [1] bizcommunity.com — originally reported as “Western Cape biodiversity faces a cruel summer as El Niño raises wildfire risk”
