Update:
In the latest update, Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermain Carelse said fire crews are actively tending to flare-ups occurring at Partridge Point and Smitswinkel on the Simon’s Town front.
One Oryx helicopter is water bombing flare-up areas that are inaccessible to the ground crews.
Additionally, fire crews are also tending to minor flare-ups along the road moving towards Glencairn Expressway, with two Hueys water bombing the area.
Carelse added that in total, over 35 firefighting resources are still active on the scene along with approximately 100 staff members.
‘The public should know that we will stay on site until the last ember is extinguished,’ concluded Carelse.
In another update, City of Cape Town’s MMC for safety and security JP Smith announced that the fire is now largely under control and that some firefighting resources will be decommissioned after today.
Red Hill and Smitswinkel remain the two at risk areas where flare-ups may are problematic and sometimes inaccessible to ground crews.
In total, there were approximately 400 firefighters from various stations, volunteer groups and municipalities on scene. Aerial firefighting resources have already clocked around 170 hours and are continuing as they tend to the flare-ups.
Smith confirmed that there was no loss of life as a result of the fire, no hospitalisations, five minor injuries among staff members. With regards to property, one derelict structure at the top of the naval base in Simon’s Town was destroyed.
Smith also advised the public to be careful in the coming week as strong winds are forecasted.
Meanwhile, Animal Welfare Society of SA’s team said its team has returned to the mountain to assist with wildlife-related needs such as putting out bowls of water and searching for any wildlife in need.
Picture: Volunteer Wildfire Services / Facebook
Update:
Sonica Lategan, spokesperson for the Disaster Risk Management team, says the Joint Operations Centre has confirmed that all persons who were asked to evacuate during the week’s fire have been cleared to return home.
‘Given that the firefighting efforts have been scaled back, there is also no need for further donations.
‘The Disaster Risk Management Centre wishes to thank members of the public and businesses who provided much-needed refreshments for frontline workers over the past few days.
‘These contributions were greatly appreciated.’
According to Jermaine Carelse, Fire and Rescue spokesperson, crews with hand tools are monitoring the situation at Miller’s Point, Partridge Point and Smitswinkel.
Crews are also monitoring for any flare-ups on the Glencair Express Way front.
‘This will result in considerably fewer resources required on the scene, and there is no aerial support required as yet.
‘We cannot overstate the tremendous effort it took from each and everyone that was involved in de-escalating this incident – not just firefighters, but other rescue and enforcement agencies, volunteer groups and the public.
‘An assessment will be made this morning on whether the road closures will be lifted.’
The following road closures are still in place:
- The intersection of Kommetjie Road and Redhill Road
- Main Road at Glencairn Expressway
- Main Road in Simon’s Town between Miller’s Point and Cape Point
Closures can change at any moment, based on the status of firefighting efforts.
JP Smith, the City’s Mayco member for safety and security, says the Misty Cliffs line and Partridge Point have successfully been extinguished.
‘The line burning on top of Red Hill as well as the line burning along Glencairn Express Way were both difficult because of their expansive lengths but the synchronised efforts of ground crews allowed them to hold the line until the fire ran out of fuel in these areas.
‘Hot spots remain and crews are still standing by on top of the plateau for Red Hill, as well as on Glencairn Express Way.’
Fresh crews took over the watch for the next 24 hours. ‘Thank you to all who assisted in fighting this disaster, thank you to all the frontline workers and to the firefighters and management staff. Our Christmas miracle came early.’
At around 10am, Smith confirmed that crews and extra staff were dispatched to carry out an extensive assault on the various fire lines with hand lines and jets.
‘So far, the most effective results have come from this approach during night time periods. From tomorrow the wind speeds increase drastically for the next several days, leaving tonight as the final window of opportunity.’
He adds that Red Hill remains a concern, as well as Plateau Road and Glencairn Express Way. ‘This area is of particular concern due to the unpredictable swirling action of the wind within this area. Ground crews will attack this area hard throughout the night to ensure this vulnerable area is made safe before the wind picks up tomorrow.’
An Oryx chopper will be used to bomb any areas that need targeting.
‘Tonight is going to be a long night, but what could be the most important one yet.’
Update:
SANParks have announced that the Cape of Good Hope/Cape Point Section will reopen at 9am.
Megan Taplin, the Table Mountain National Park manager, says the park will be accessible via Scarborough/Red Hill Road.
‘Your safety remains our top priority, and all necessary precautions have been taken to ensure a secure and enjoyable visit to the park.
‘We appreciate your patience and understanding during the closure period, and we look forward to welcoming you back to the park today.’
Update:
Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City’s Fire and Rescue services, says 14 frontline fire resources and six skid units are currently dealing with hotspots near the armoury, Plateau Road (Ostrich Farm) and Scarborough area.
About 22 firefighting resources with approximately 80 staff are on the scene on the Glencairn Express Way. These teams are attending to flare-ups and hotspot areas.
‘We would like to thank all the agencies involved in this multi-disciplinary operation, but also the public for their cooperation and support over the past few days.’
Update:
The Table Mountain National Park is urgently appealing for donations of meals (including halaal) for the firefighters.
Nearly 60 firefighters, as well as park staff, are working in the Simon’s Town and Glencairn areas.
The park extended its thanks to the public’s support via its Facebook page: ‘We’d like to extend our gratitude to Cape Town residents and businesses for their generosity in providing food, drinks, and other essentials to support the firefighters.’
Donations can be dropped off at the Newlands Fire Base.
Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town checked in on the firefighters on the ground.
Watch:
Update:
As the fire continues, firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the flames. Checkers Sixty60 and Pick n Pay are both running campaigns to make it easy to donate supplies to the firefighters.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Update:
Aerial attacks have continued throughout the day, accompanied by the Air Tractor Water Bomber fixed-wing aircraft.
The fire line now stretches from Patridge Point and Millers Point all the way across Red Hill, Scarborough and Misty Cliffs.
The wind is light at the moment, but when the vegetation ignites, ‘it creates a huge thermal updraft that sucks in cooler air below, causing the air to swirl as the fires often veer in different directions.’
The public is asked to stay out of the deep South to help ease traffic congestion. If you live in an area under threat, it is recommended that you pack a ‘Go-bag’ in case of an evacuation.
If you are evacuating, it is important to turn off your electricity. If your property has access to the mountainside, unlock any gates and leave them open so firefighters can use them.
A ‘Code Red’ has been called by the Chief Fire Officer, meaning that every available resource has been committed.
Update:
Update:
The fire near Simon’s Town has forced the closure of Cape Point. Firefighters are fighting two fires in the area while contending with strong winds.
Nearly 100 households have been evacuated.
Residents were advised to evacuate the Stonehaven Estate on Thursday night after the wind conditions changed and flames threatened their properties.
🔥Simonstown Fires 🔥
Dear Tour Operators & Visitors,Due to t/ ongoing fires in t/ Simonstown area & t/ danger it might pose to our visitors' safety, TMNP management has made the decision to close the @CapePointSA section of the Park this morning
➡️https://t.co/LeQIbFTgOZ pic.twitter.com/Ols6bbRlm4
— SANParks TMNP (@TableMountainNP) December 22, 2023
The Fire and Rescue Service of the City of Cape Town is currently dealing with a second fire along the Glencairn Motorway.
‘Crews were faced with extremely challenging conditions overnight, dealing with both the Simon’s Town and the Glencairn fires,’ stated the City’s Jermaine Carelse. ‘The wind picked up considerably and the Simon’s Town fire spread over the mountain and is now above Misty Cliffs and Scarborough.’
‘At the same time, a vegetation fire was reported along the Glencairn Expressway and quickly gained momentum and was headed towards Stonehaven and Evergreen estates. Drones were deployed to help guide crews on the ground.’
A fire broke out on Glencairn Expressway in Fish Hoek while teams are still battling the fire at Castle Rock. A code red was issued and the residents of Stonehaven Estate were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Also read: Firefighters battle additional fires in different areas of Table Mountain
Over 20 fire engines were dispatched, along with nine water tankers. Additional resources are on the way.
Chief Fire Officer Manuel, along with senior staff, have headed up an emergency JOC at the Simon’s Town Fire Station, along with relevant role players.
At approximately 2am, areas of Scarborough were also evacuated.
‘Although helicopters water-bombed the entire day as the fire chased through the mountains within the TMNP, strong evening winds caused the fire race across different paths,’ explained Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith. ‘This separate to the blaze that began on Glencairn Express way.’
Cape Town – #SimonsTownFire An incredible view of an Aerial Support unit water bombing the fire line pic.twitter.com/t6pN6QRWHF
— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) December 22, 2023
‘In order to beat this defiant fire, senior staff are using wind predictions over the next few hours and are going to attempt to cut it off in the late hours of the morning. Our drones have been deployed to map out the vegetation path and to strategize the best location to intercept the path of the fire.’
‘All resources, including firefighters off duty, have been called up, along with additional fire engines and tankers. Western Cape Disaster Management has arranged additional support from fire stations of the West Coast, Stellenbosch and Overberg. All choppers will be ready to deploy at first light, along with the Defense Force sending in additional choppers, along with another Oryx flying in from Bloemfontein.’
‘Our fire service and local Disaster Risk Management will attempt to hold the line and defend properties along its predicted path as we allow it to run over the terrain and between the mountains.’
‘Come morning light and we will see the biggest coordinated attack on a fire line that our City has ever witnessed.’
The fire line had crept above the peaks of Misty Cliffs by 4am and crews were standing by as a precautionary measure but we predict that choppers should be cleared to take off within about an hour. Water-bombing can then commence and this fire path may then be cut off.
Drones have also picked up a fire in the valley bordering Glencairn Expressway, out of view from the road, creeping up the peak.
‘Choppers are standing ready and will take off as soon as clearance is received, and urgent bombing will be focused on this fire path.’
Also read:
Public urged to follow the instructions of firefighting authorities
Picture: JP Smith / Facebook
