Cape Town Firefighters Battle Blazes in Table Mountain National Park Amid Strong Winds

Image credits: Chelsea Ogilvie/ News24

Cape Town firefighters were contending with two fires on Tuesday afternoon in Table Mountain National Park amid strong winds. In the Newlands Ravine, a blaze, which broke out on Sunday morning and had been contained by Monday afternoon, flared up again on Tuesday morning. The flare up was in areas that remained largely inaccessible to ground crews, making it difficult for firefighters to reach and extinguish the fire. As a result, all trails in Newlands, Devil’s Peak, and Maclear's Beacon remain closed until further notice due to rockfalls and fire damage to boardwalks, which have rendered these trails unsafe for hikers.

South African National Parks spokesperson Charles Phahlane said ground crews and aerial resources were diverted to assist in containing a separate fire in Red Hill in collaboration with the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services. Additional aerial resources will be deployed from Stellenbosch Airfield to help combat the fire. A key concern at this stage is the wind forecast for the evening, which could significantly impact the Red Hill to Da Gama Park section of the Table Mountain National Park. Fire suppression efforts remain the top priority, with a focus on preventing further spread in these areas. Authorities continued to monitor the situation closely and would provide updates as necessary.

The cause of the fire will be investigated, and it has been reported that the fire has burned approximately 60ha of veld. Newlands Forest was closed to the public, along with the section of trails from the forest to Devil’s Peak and south of Platteklip Gorge. The Contour Path boardwalk has been damaged by fire, with rockfalls reported in the area. Firefighters and park officials are working to contain the fire and prevent further damage to the park and its surroundings. The strong winds are making it challenging for firefighters to contain the blaze, and the situation is being closely monitored.

Here are some key points about the fire: * The fire broke out on Sunday morning and had been contained by Monday afternoon, but flared up again on Tuesday morning. * The fire has burned approximately 60ha of veld. * Multiple trails have been closed due to rockfalls and fire damage to boardwalks. * Ground crews and aerial resources are being used to combat the fire. * The wind forecast for the evening is a key concern, as it could significantly impact the Red Hill to Da Gama Park section of the Table Mountain National Park. The situation is being closely monitored, and authorities will provide updates as necessary. The safety of firefighters and the public is the top priority, and all necessary measures are being taken to prevent further spread of the fire.

The fire in Table Mountain National Park is a significant concern, and efforts are being made to contain it as soon as possible. The strong winds are posing a challenge to firefighters, but they are working tirelessly to prevent further damage to the park and its surroundings. The public is being kept informed about the situation, and updates will be provided as necessary. The fire has highlighted the importance of conservation efforts and the need to protect the natural environment from fires and other hazards.