Cape Town’s emergency services are grappling with a spate of fires across the city, exacerbated by strong winds and dry conditions.
The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre is coordinating responses and assessing the impact of multiple fires in informal settlements and vegetation areas.
Also read: Youngsfield military base: Fire crews tackle another vegetation fire
Glencairn:
Resources from the Simonstown Fire have been redeployed to the Glencairn/Elsie’s Peak area.
The fire, which had subsided, experienced a series of flare-ups.
The mountain slopes above Imizamo Yethu:
Table Mountain National Park has dispatched crews from NCC Environmental Services and Volunteer Wildfire Services, along with aerial support, to tackle a fire in Imizamo Yethu, an informal settlement.
Informal settlement fires:
Late yesterday, fires ravaged three informal settlements.
In Seawinds, 135 structures were destroyed: 60 in Jim Se Bos and 45 in Wallacedene, affecting approximately 900 people.
Relief efforts are underway, with NGOs like Gift of the Givers and Islamic Relief SA providing essential aid, including mattresses, meals and baby care packs. City officials are assessing infrastructure damage.
Vegetation fires:
Firefighters have been battling a vegetation fire on the M5 between Ottery and Kenilworth since this morning. The Chief Fire Officer called for all off-duty staff to report to their stations.
Efforts to contain these fires include aerial support and multiple fire engines on the scene.
The cause of the fires, particularly in dense vegetation, is under investigation. Residents and visitors are advised to exercise caution in windy conditions.
For emergencies, contact the Public Emergency Communications Centre at 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.
Also read:
Fire in Hillview results in destroyed structures and hospitalisations
Picture: SANParks – Table Mountain National Park / Facebook