Relentless efforts to battle Table Mountain National Park blaze

Video

NATIONAL NEWS AND VIDEO - Aerial resources and ground crews are working tirelessly to contain the fire burning in the Silvermine section of Table Mountain National Park, between Tokai and Noordhoek in the southern peninsula.

Helicopters have been working the fire line on Constantiaberg for several hours, with firefighters battling strengthening winds as the fire moved into dense stands of invasive vegetation.

In a post on Facebook, Parkscape – an NPO protecting urban forests, cultural landscapes and biodiversity around Table Mountain National Park – reported that choppers have been diverted to the slopes above Stonehurst, where strong westerly winds are pushing the fire east above the naval base.

Several hectares of dense invasive thickets there pose a significant risk.

“The fire has evidently run again down Muizenberg and Lakeside slopes, driven by the wind.

“Watching the chopper pilots work in challenging conditions is a remarkable sight. So much kudos and gratitude to all these men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our homes and lives,” the organisation said.

The organisation said it was ‘a very smoky day’ that dawned this morning over Cape Town.

This morning, the fire was creeping slowly north along the Constantiaberg towards Vlakkenberg.

“It continues to move down the slope above the naval barracks from Silvermine East, and it is expected to continue moving downslope. It is still burning above Ou Kaapse Weg,” the organisation said.

At 13:00 yesterday, Jermaine Carelse, the spokesperson for the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service, said ‘the situation is still fluid and four choppers are water bombing the area’.

“Currently, the Tokai area is of concern as thick and dry vegetation is aiding the spread of the fire.

“This fire is not contained, and we urge the public to stay away from the areas in question.

“We are closely monitoring the situation, and road closures remain in place.”

Table Mountain, early Monday morning. Photo: X | Polythene Pam

Closures include:

Main Road and Boyes Drive
Main Road, Lakeside
Main and Clairvaux roads
Noordhoek and Old Kaapse Weg/Boyes Drive
Steenberg and Tokai roads near the circle
Tokai and Zwaanswyk roads

Approximately 250 firefighters from various agencies have been working tirelessly to contain the fire in Upper Tokai, in Table Mountain National Park, which broke out on Friday and has affected several areas. The fire was largely contained until yesterday, when it intensified significantly due to a sudden shift in wind direction and increased wind speeds.

Watch a video here.

Animal welfare NPOs on the ground

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA posted earlier today that they are looking for Holly – a much-loved Daxi cross – who got scared during the fire evacuations and fled near Table Mountain National Park Gate 1.

“We have met with Holly’s owner and taken him with us into the search area, but water bombing has resumed, and we’ve had to vacate again. We will be back in the area as soon as possible. Please keep sharing any information or leads you have,” the organisation said.

Table Mountain, early Monday morning. Photo: X | Polythene Pam