The Volunteer Wildfire Services supports responsible and factual reporting. This page covers all our journalist resources. If you have any questions, please feel free to Contact Us.

News & Fires

All our latest content, including News, Articles and Event Information are posted in respective categories and are easily search-able. We issue press releases for all major fires that we are involved at and aim to provide accurate and timely information directly from the fire line as and when it happens.

Request an escort onto the fire line

The VWS provide escorts for members of the media to experience and report on fires directly from the fire line. If you are a bona fide member of the media and would like to be escorted onto the fire line of a fire that the VWS is involved at, contact one of our Communications Officers below.

Spokesperson & Media Communications

Only authorised VWS Communications Officers may issue press releases and speak with members of the media. Our current Communications Officers are:

VWS Communication Officers

• Ryan Heydenrych – VWS Media & Marketing Director

c: 083 969 7776

e: marketing@capefires.com

• sTiv Samuel – VWS Chairman

e: chairman@capefires.com

Station Communication Officers

Newlands Station:

• Ryan Heydenrych – 083 969 7776
• Peter Wynne – 084 446 0218

Jonkershoek Station:

• Hayley Marrison – 071 219 3988
• Carel Kriel – 072 677 5713

Resources

Photographs & Videos

We have dedicated photographers who capture the heat of the moment at all the fires and events we are involved at. All images in our Gallery are available in high-resolution format and may be used in print or online provided that the Volunteer Wildfire Services and the respective photographer are credited.

Press Release Mailing List

To subscribe to receive press releases and fire updates, click here.

RSS Feed

To subscribe to receive instant updates to our website, click here.

Facts & Figures

Here are some fast facts about the Volunteer Wildfire Services:

• Established in 1999
• Only dedicated volunteer integrated wildfire management service in South Africa
• 2 stations: Newlands (HQ) and Jonkershoek
• 140 dedicated fire fighters
• 20 Critical Support Services (CSS) members
• Board of Directors
• Registered nonprofit, Section 21 Company
• Main corporate sponsor: Table Mountain Fund
• Operational budget: R650,000 per annum