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Update (12:30pm):
The Platteklip Gorge trail has been closed with immediate effect as the fire is actively burning in the vicinity near Maclear’s Beacon.

According to Table Mountain National Park Management, visibility is poor in the area and the blaze poses a major risk to trail users unexpectedly walking into the fire.

Further closures include:

  • All hiking trails between Newlands and Constantia Nek
  • All trails leading to Maclear’s Beacon and the Back Table
  • Tails leading from the area between Camps Bay, Hout Bay, and Orangekloof
  • Platteklip George trail leading up to Maclear’s Beacon

‘The priority remains the safety of residents, hikers, and firefighting personnel; therefore, we encourage users to refrain from accessing these areas,’ SANParks said in a Facebook post.

‘SANParks is appealing to the public to please respect the trail closures in order not to endanger anyone or hamper firefighting efforts.’

Picture: SANParks – Table Mountain National Park / Facebook

Firefighting efforts are still underway at Skeleton Gorge, with crews from SANParks Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), NCC Wildfires, Volunteer Wildfire Services, Working on Fire and the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services trying to contain it.
This is according to a recent Facebook post made by Parkscape.

Also read: WSAR rescues trail runner surrounded by fire on Junction Peak

Reports indicate that the fire ‘jumped into Nursery Ravine’ the previous night and was ‘spreading towards Cecilia’.

The post went on to explain that there’s a misperception that the indigenous forests, such as Newlands, above Kirstenbosch and in parts of Cecilia, are fire-resistant.
‘They are at significant risk of fire unless they are tucked into deep kloofs and ravines over which fire often jumps,’ the post stated.
‘Without fire and due to good fire risk management over many decades, our indigenous forests have been able to spread out to cover the lower slopes above Newlands and Kirstenbosch – and increasingly Cecilia – to create the beautiful green spaces we so love and revere,’ the post added.

Parkscape also added that there is a need for donations from individuals in the Constantia-Tokai Valley/Lakeside and Muizenberg areas to support firefighting efforts.

Currently, there is an urgent call for:
  • 500ml bottled water
  • Energy drinks
  • Energy bars
  • Sealed snacks
  • Fruit
  • Large Ziplock bags
  • Eyedrops
  • Burn salve
Members of the public can drop off their donations at Hair Gallery, on the corner of Dam and Tokai Road, Tokai, as well as at the Newlands Fire Base.

Also read:

Update: Joint efforts underway to combat fire, multiple hiking trails closed

Picture: Parkscape / Supplied / Facebook

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