Update: 29 April, 1:30pm
40 firefighters from Table Mountain National Park, NCC Environmental Services, and Working on Fire alongside the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services are currently battling a fire in the vicinities of Skeleton Gorge, Back Table and Kirstenbosch Gardens.
Update:
Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse says the fire is largely contained. ‘City crews monitored the perimeter on the lower slopes throughout the evening and morning. A proper assessment will be made to see whether aerial support is needed to assist crews this morning,’ he told Cape {town} Etc.
Guests at Overseers Cottage and Olifantsbos Cottage in Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) have been evacuated due to fires caused by lightning strikes over the past weekend.
Also read: Update: Constantia Nek fire spreading towards Kirstenbosch, measures implemented
In a statement, TMNP reported that fires in several areas including Cecilia Forest, Silvermine Nature Reserve and the Cape of Good Hope along Cape Point were caused by lightning strikes.
According to a statement, the ‘swift response from TMNP’s NCC Environmental Services, along with Volunteer Wildfire Services, Working on Fire crews and the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, played a crucial role in managing the situation.’
JP Louw, SANParks spokesperson, says two helicopters were deployed this morning to fight another fire on the back table above the dams on Table Mountain.
‘We are evacuating guests from Overseers Cottage and (…) the hiking huts on the back table. Hiking trails leading to the dams have been closed.
‘We evacuated guests from Olifantsbos Cottage (on Saturday night). Firefighters fought the fire throughout the night and it is now contained but hiking trails in the fire area of Cape Point will be closed until it is safe to reopen.’
Yesterday, Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse confirmed to Cape Argus that wind conditions were calmer.
‘Staff have been released from Kirstenbosch Gardens. There are still some hot spots along the lower slopes, but these are inaccessible for now,’ he said.
‘Skeleton crews from the City’s Fire and Rescue Services will remain on site overnight to monitor the situation and respond as required.’
A big concern is the fire’s impact on the baboon troop at Constantia Nek, and how it could impact their interface with the urban edge and residents, says Emile Langenhoven, councillor for Ward 62 in Constantia.
‘There is also a great concern about the impact this fire could have on Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.’
Nontsikelelo Mpulo, director of marketing and communications at the SA National Biodiversity Institute, says veld fires close to the Kirstenbosch Gardens are causing low visibility, and ash and smoke are permeating throughout the grounds.
‘Our thoughts are with those fighting the fires in the air and on the ground. We extend our thanks to them.’
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