Update: 20 December, 5:30pm
Firefighters are still battling the blaze in Simon’s Town which has flared up again.
Earlier today, crews were directed to an area near the Black Marlin Restaurant as the fire was approaching the property, but they managed to avert the danger, and the area has now been declared safe.
The Incident Management Team has outlined specific tactics to minimise any further spread of the fire.
Considering the anticipated wind gusts later and overnight, additional resources have been requested.
Three helicopters are currently airborne to assist with water-bomb.
Update: 20 December, 2:15pm
Roads leading to the Cape of Good Hope/Cape Point and Simon’s Town are currently closed as the fire has spread further down Millers Point, Rocklands and Plateau Road.
Update:
Ward Councillor Simon Liell-Cock says the fire is still burning on the mountain above Simon’s Town, and helicopters have now left due to the dark.
‘Teams are on-site at Victory and Barnard Streets and up at Signal School. [The] wind is dropping and is forecast to drop further.’
‘Teams will remain on site overnight to deal with flare-ups. Happy Valley residents are currently being accommodated in the town hall due to the smoke problem.’
Update:
TMNP has confirmed that the wind is still fanning the fire, which is moving towards Simon’s Town.
The Incident Management Team 3 has been activated, with an incident command post set up at Simon’s Town Fire Station.
‘Additional City resources have been dispatched – on the ground currently are 15 fire engines, 7 water tankers, and more than 90 City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue firefighters, along with 80 firefighters from Table Mountain National Park, NCC Wildfire, Working on Fire and the Volunteer Wildfire Services.’
‘No properties have been affected.’
Update:
Alderman JP Smith, the City’s Mayco member for safety and security, says teams are now battling the expanded fire line directly above Simon’s Town, on the fire break.
The effort is made difficult due to rough rocks strewn across the mountainside, strong winds and dense smoke.
Update:
As 80 brave firefighters remain on the line, working tirelessly to attend to the Castle Rock/Simon’s Town fire, SANParks has made an urgent call for donations of five-litre waters, energy bars, sealed snacks of choice, etc.
‘Members of the public can drop off donations at the Newlands Fire Base,’ SANParks said on Facebook.
Working on Fire and Traffic SA shared footage of the current situation on Facebook and X:
Cape Town – FIRE in the Simon’s Town area #CastleRock pic.twitter.com/UVTIQntLaI
— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) December 19, 2023
Meanwhile, the Animal Welfare Society of SA said its team is currently on the ground, assisting with any animal-related emergencies and evacuations.
The City’s Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, said an emergency call about mountain slopes being alight in Simon’s Town was received just after 7am today.
Two helicopters had initially been called in and were ‘water bombing the area as the fire [was] being fanned by a mild Southeaster up Miller’s Point,’ said Carelse.
Additionally, NCC Wildfires reported that Cape Winelands NCC environmental services crews are responding to a wildfire in Du Toits Kloof above the N1 at the Huguenot Tunnel, as well as a wildfire in Prince Alfred Hamlet.
Picture: Working on Fire / Facebook
Update:
Justin Buchman, fire manager for Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) says crews have now been sent into the remote flank of Swartkop to combat areas that can not be accessed by vehicles.
Approximately 80 firefighters from NCC Wildfires, Volunteer Wildfire Services, and Working on Fire have been deployed to the fire near Castle Rock in Simon’s Town.
Four helicopters are being used to combat the fire. The fire reportedly started on private land, burnt into the park and is now burning on both private and public property.
Watch the latest update here:
🔥 Castle Rock – Simonstown 🔥 Update [Fire footage]
SANParks – Table Mountain National Park has deployed approximately 80 firefighters from NCC Wildfires, Volunteer Wildfire Services, and Working on Fire to the fire near Castle Rock in Simonstown. pic.twitter.com/bezJKTp6IY
— SANParks TMNP (@TableMountainNP) December 19, 2023
No structures are currently in danger; however, Buchman warns that this could change depending on weather conditions.
With fire season in full swing, several TMNP-contracted crews from NCC Environmental Services, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, Working on Fire and Volunteer Wildfire Services have been dispatched to a fire on the mountain above Castle Rock, Simon’s Town.
Also read: Emergency crews respond to a fire on Tafelberg Road, Table Mountain
According to Councillor Simon Leill-Cock, two helicopters and approximately 100 firefighters have been deployed. There is currently no threat to life or property at this point.
At around 9am, NCC Wildfires said it was imperative to bring down the flame with the help of the firefighting helicopters that were doing the best that they could, given the terrain and current wind conditions, so that crews on the ground could beat the flames out.
A craft could be heard flying over Constantia and Tokai.
Fire castle rock Simonstown ! Aerial support but wind is awful apparently 🤬 pic.twitter.com/FV32jte2og
— Gabrielle Boyle (@gabyb1) December 19, 2023
Commenting on Volunteer Wildfire Service‘s Facebook post, Carol Minton shared a view of the fire from Gordon’s Bay:
Updates to follow.
Also read:
JP Smith gives stern warning to visitors this festive season