Cape Town: SanParks Table Mountain National Park has shared the latest update on wildfire currently affecting the Tokai and Silvermine sections of TMNP. Fire crews from from various agencies, includes aerial support that has been actively working throughout the day to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby communities, including Tokai, Zwaanswyk, Noordhoek and Cloverly.
The fire conditions in the Zwaanswyk, Ou Kaapse Weg, Silvermine and Noordhoek areas are reported to be under control now, as the crews are continuously monitoring for flare-ups.
Earlier, in the morning four helicopters began water bombing operations to assist ground crews in their efforts. Fortunately, there has been no structural damage reported, however approx. 2600 hectares of vegetation that have been impacted by the fire.
As per all the available resources, from the Table Mountain National Park Fire Management, NCC Environmental Services and 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 are actively on-site.
The teams will continue to address the hotspots throughout the night, although aerial operations will conclude before 7:00 p.m. due to darkness.
Notably, 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 the members of the public avoid the central and southern sections of Table Mountain National Park at this time.
The road closures will considered, Ou Kaapse Weg which is open to the public now, however the officials kindly asked everyone not to stop and hike into the burnt areas. Some spots are still hot and people have already attempted to access the closed sections of the park.
Furthermore, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and other welfare organisations are already on-site, monitoring the animals that have been impacted by the fire. As a precaution, the areas remained closed until further notice, where Tokai and Silvermine, both east and west hiking trails will remain closed to the public. The authorities are monitoring the situation closely and will issue updates as conditions change.