The wildfire has rapidly spread since Friday.
Image: Arman Hough/Independent Newspapers
By Monday evening, the wildfire that had been raging for three days, tearing through the Table Mountain National Park, remained uncontained with over 2000 hectares of vegetation burned.
The wildfires started in Tokai on Friday and had spread across the national park with almost 200 houses evacuated.
Hundreds of firefighters from various agencies, including aerial support, had been actively working throughout the weekend to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby communities, including Tokai, Zwaanswyk, Noordhoek, and Clovelly.
“While fire conditions in the Zwaanswyk, Ou Kaapse Weg, Silvermine, and Noordhoek areas are reported to be under control, crews are continuously monitoring for flare-ups. Early this morning, four helicopters began water bombing operations to assist ground crews in their efforts,” Sanparks said Monday.
While no structural damage had been reported, approximately 2600 hectares of vegetation were affected by the fire, said Sanparks. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and other welfare organisations were also on site, monitoring the animals impacted by the fire.
Resources from the Table Mountain National Park Fire Management, Volunteer Wildfire Services, Working on Fire, Provincial Disaster Management, Enviro Wildfire Services, Cape Peninsula Fire Protection Services, City Biodiversity Management and the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services were actively on-site.
“Teams will continue to address hotspots throughout the night, although aerial operations will conclude before 7pm due to darkness. There is a continued concern regarding the presence of cyclists in areas that have been closed off due to fire damage and ongoing firefighting operations. The public is urged to comply with all trail closures to ensure their safety. It is strongly recommended that members of the public avoid accessing the central and southern sections of Table Mountain National Park at this time.”
The City’s Fire and Rescue spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse said the situation remained “fluid and four choppers are water bombing the area”.
“More than 100 City Firefighters are on scene, being assisted by TMNP, NCC and VWS.
"An Incident Management Team Type 3 has been activated and will work on a 12 hour rotation. This provides greater oversight in managing the incident. Currently the Tokai area is of concern as thick and dry vegetation is aiding the spread of the fire. We are closely monitoring the situation and road closures remain in place,” said Carelse.
“As a precautionary measure, Disaster Risk Management (DRM) assisted with the evacuation of 198 households from the Noordhoek Manor, including 48 frail care residents. The residents of Barnyard and Silwersteen have decided to evacuate,” Carelse added.
Road closures were in place in several parts of the South Peninsula including, main and Boyes Drive, Lakeside, Clairvaux, Noordhoek and Old Kaapse Weg/Boyes Drive, as well as Steenberg and Tokai Road near the Circle. While Ou Kaapse Weg was open to the public; hikers were cautioned not to stop and hike into the burnt areas. Tokai and Silvermine, both east and west hiking trails remained closed to the public.
Cape Times