The Western Cape is expected to face a fiery summer as El Niño brings dry, hot conditions and a heightened wildfire risk across the province. The latest Western Cape State of Conservation report found a significant increase in fire-affected areas at a precarious time.
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The report records 107 fires that burned 215,936 hectares during the 2025/26 reporting period — almost three times the 75,174 hectares burned by 97 fires in the previous reporting period.
Cruel summer
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned of below-normal rainfall associated with the expected strong El Niño this summer.
While El Niño does not automatically mean every part of the province will experience drought, reduced rainfall, higher temperatures, and dry vegetation can create conditions where fires ignite more easily and spread more rapidly.
Wind is always a contributing factor in wildfire size. Although it is not expected to be excessive this summer, it will likely be variable, meaning it can come from any direction.
This unpredictability endangers firefighters on the fire lines and increases the risk of casualties.
“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,” said Anton Bredell, Western Cape Provincial Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning.
“When vegetation dries out, even a small ignition can quickly become a significant wildfire, particularly when combined with hot, dry and windy conditions,” added Bredell.
Simon Jessop and Marc Jones 27 Jul 2026 Biodiversity threatened
The latest findings also show that 212 of the province’s 346 assessed ecosystem types are now classified as threatened, compared with 191 of 350 in the previous reporting period.
This change reflects both a technical correction from the updated 2025 National Biodiversity Assessment and continued pressures on ecosystems.
Freshwater ecosystems remain particularly vulnerable, with 79 of 96 freshwater ecosystem types classified as threatened.
The number of threatened estuarine ecosystem types also increased from 44 to 45 of 54.
The report further highlights increasing pressure on plant and animal species.
Approximately 2,006 plant taxa are now classified as threatened, compared with 1,939 in the previous reporting period.
Waterbirds are emerging as a significant concern, with 23 species moving into poorer conservation categories, highlighting the increasing pressure on wetlands and freshwater systems.
Concentraded conservation
Bredell said the report provides an important evidence base for understanding where conservation efforts are most urgently needed.
“The State of Conservation report reminds us that the Western Cape’s biodiversity is both a global asset and a responsibility.
“We are making progress in securing and managing important areas for conservation, but the pressures are becoming more complex.
“Fire, invasive alien species, habitat loss and other threats require sustained action and strong partnerships across government, communities, landowners and conservation organisations.”
After the storm
Despite these pressures, the report also records significant conservation gains.
More than 44,000 hectares were added to the Western Cape protected areas estate during 2025/26, with 25 new nature reserves declared.
The province also continues to demonstrate the importance of biodiversity science, recording 10,744 plant taxa.
Two new taxa were described during the reporting period, and two species were rediscovered.
CapeNature executive director of biodiversity capabilities, Coral Birss, said the report highlights the need to match conservation gains with action to address the pressures facing ecosystems.
“The report gives us a clear picture of both what we are achieving and what remains at risk.
“Expanding the conservation estate is important, but protecting biodiversity also depends on how effectively we manage fire, invasive species, freshwater ecosystems and other pressures across the province.
“The evidence in this report helps guide and prioritise where our efforts need to be focused.”
Freshwater fish, sharks, mammals, reptiles and endemic invertebrates remain among the species groups facing significant conservation challenges.
The findings emphasise the importance of continued investment in biodiversity monitoring, ecological restoration, protected areas, fire management and partnerships to conserve the Western Cape’s biodiversity and environment.
Read the full Western Cape State of Conservation report 2026 here.
