Volunteer Wildfire Services

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Volunteer Wildfire Services

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The Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) assists in suppressive and prescribed fire efforts. VOLUNTEERS
Our volunteers are just that – volunteers.
(224)

With approximately 300 members at our various stations (Newlands, South Peninsula (Noordhoek, Stellenbosch/Helderberg), the VWS has assisted the Table Mountain National Park, Cape Nature and Overbery District Municipality with some of the wildest fires the Western Cape has ever experienced. Baptised by fire through the devastating fires in Cape Town during the year 2000, the VWS is now a highly organised Section 21 Company that continues to grow in reputation and stature. We work closely with other emergency service organisations in wild-land fire management such as Table Mountain National Park, Cape Town Fire & Emergency Services, CapeNature, Western Cape Provincial Disaster Management, Overberg District Municipality, Winelands Fire Brigade, City of Cape Town Biodiversity and various contract crews. WHAT WE DO
The VWS has three primary functions:
1: Wildfire suppression services
2: Wildfire suppression and management training
3: Prescribed burning (with partner organisations)

We also do various smaller activities such as awareness, schools visits and fundraising events - a vital part of staying operational. HOW WE OPERATE
On standby to respond to fires and emergencies 24 hours a day for 365 days of the year – that’s how we work. They are extraordinary people who give of their time and energy to protect lives, property and our natural heritage. Most have day jobs, some are students, others run their own companies – but all are dedicated, motivated and highly-trained to ensure that our ultimate goal of wildfire suppression is taken care of. FUNDING
The VWS receives funding from corporate and organisational partners and individual donors, as well as initiating our own fundraising projects. This funding allows us to operate and manage ourselves independently. We are always on the lookout for additional funding that will allow us to further serve the community.

01/11/2026

The 2026/27 fire season is upon us, and it’s shaping up to be a busy one! 🔥

With forecasts pointing towards a potentially record-breaking Super El Niño, and the hotter, drier conditions that may come with it, we’re preparing for a challenging summer.

Our volunteers have spent the past few months putting in the hours. From physical fitness and fireline training to incident management, logistics and operational readiness, there’s been plenty happening behind the scenes. And while the season is only just beginning, our crews have already been called out to a few fires.

As we head into the warmer months, we’re asking everyone to stay vigilant, report fires early and take extra care when enjoying our beautiful outdoor spaces.

We’re ready to do our part. Help us by doing yours!

R300 000 towards protecting our mountains! ❤️🔥

A massive thank you to the Table Mountain Cableway Table Mountain Aerial Cableway for their incredible donation of R300 000 to Volunteer Wildfire Services, raised through their annual charity golf day.

As a volunteer organisation, we’re incredibly grateful for the businesses and communities that continue to support the work we do. Contributions like these help us equip, train and prepare our volunteers to respond when they’re needed most.

Thank you to the entire Table Mountain Aerial Cableway team, the golfers, sponsors and everyone who played a part in making this possible.

We’re proud to have your support as we head into another fire season!

Another year of VWS, and another year made possible by the people behind the yellow shirts.

We recently held our Annual General Meeting, taking the opportunity to reflect on the past year, the challenges we’ve faced, what we’ve achieved together and where we’re heading as an organisation.

There is a tremendous amount of work that goes into keeping a volunteer organisation like VWS running. Much of it happens away from the fireline, through planning, administration, fundraising, training and countless hours volunteered behind the scenes.

Thank you to every

10/10/2026

Crew Responding 🔥Franchoek Area🔥 VWS has dispatched a crew to work throughout the night assisting our partners Winelands FPA

Safe out, Safe Home.

07/10/2026

🚨 VWS OPEN DAY 2026 IS HERE! 🚨 On Saturday, 28 November, we’re opening the gates at Newlands Fire Base and inviting you into the world of fighting wildfires. 🔥🚒

Come meet our crews, climb aboard the fire trucks, tackle the obstacle course and use our tools, try your hand at abseiling, see a real helicopter water drop and get ready for a full day of firefighting action, family fun and a few surprises along the way.

And yes, the famous Open Day bubble and water party is back. 💦

📍 Newlands Forest 📅 Saturday, 28 November 2026 ⏰ 09:00–16:00 🎟️ Adults R55 | Kids FREE

Open Day is one of our biggest fundraising events of the year, helping us raise the funds we need to keep our volunteer crews trained, equipped and ready to respond when the call comes.
Bring the family. Meet the people behind the yellow shirts. See what it takes to fight wildfires.

🎟️ Tickets are live now. Grab yours via the link in our bio.

Firefighters

05/10/2026

What a weekend in George. 🔥💪

A huge congratulations to every VWS competitor who took on the Toughest Firefighter Alive Challenge this past weekend. The work that goes into preparing for an event like this happens long before competition day, and we’re incredibly proud of the grit, discipline and team spirit shown by everyone who stepped up to compete.

And the results speak for themselves: 12 medals for VWS. 🏅

Thank you to the organisers and officials who put together another incredible event, and to every competitor who pushed the standard higher throughout the weekend.

We also couldn’t have done it without the support of our sponsors, who helped get our teams to George, fuelled, prepared and ready to compete:

CBS Innovations
Revive
The Fire Engine Company
Elite Chiropractic Stellies

Thank you for backing our volunteers and helping us represent VWS on the national stage.

Proud of this team. Now back to work. 🔥

27/09/2026

Crew Responding: 🔥 Hout Bay Area 🔥

VWS has dispatched a crew to a fire in the Hout Bay Area to assist our partners Table Mountain National Park

We urge all residents near the wildfire to follow requests from emergency personnel, and to avoid hiking or cycling in the area near to the fire.

All the best to the crews out there today 🔥

Safe Out, Safe Home.

24/09/2026

Our heritage is in the landscapes we call home.

The mountains, the fynbos, the forests and the wild spaces that shape so much of who we are.

At VWS, protecting those places is part of the job. So that they are still here to be explored, enjoyed and passed on.

This Heritage Day, we celebrate the landscapes worth protecting and the people who stand up for them. 🇿🇦🔥

📸: Patrick Ryan Images

23/09/2026

Crews Responding 🔥 Grabouw Area 🔥

VWS has dispatched crews to assist our partners CapeNature through the night.

As fire season approaches, please remain vigilant and assist by reporting fires in your area.

Safe out, Safe Home.

02/07/2026

VWS Is Hiring: Executive Director

For more than 25 years VWS has brought together trained volunteers to protect lives, property, and landscapes from wildfire across the Western Cape. We’re now looking for a senior leader to help strengthen the organisation behind that work and guide VWS into its next phase. The Executive Director will work with the board, management team, volunteers, and partners to build the systems, funding, partnerships, and organisational capacity that keep VWS effective both on and off the fireline.

Know someone who could be a strong fit? Please tag them or share this post!

📍 Cape Town, Western Cape 💼 Full-time, permanent 📩 Send a CV and one-page cover letter to [email protected] by Thursday, 16 July 2026 📋 Full job description: www.vws.org.za/careers (Link in Bio)

Address

Union Avenue, Newlands
Cape Town
7700

Website

http://www.vws.org.za/

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