The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway has been shut down temporarily as thick smoke from an ongoing fire blankets the area.
The fire, which started in Newlands Ravine over the weekend, has spread rapidly due to strong winds, reaching Tafelberg Road and Vredehoek. Emergency crews are battling to contain the flames, with helicopters deployed to water-bomb affected areas.
Selma Hercules, Executive Director of the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company, confirmed the closure, stating that operations will remain suspended until further notice. ‘We’ll provide updates as soon as we have more information. Stay safe and thank you for your understanding,’ she said.
According to Edward Bosch, spokesperson for the City’s Fire and Rescue Service, firefighters are concentrating their efforts on two key areas, with a third helicopter being brought in from Stellenbosch to assist. Crews from both the City and SANParks are closely monitoring flare-ups in Deer Park.
Meanwhile, JP Louw from SANParks reported that another fire in Red Hill is still burning, moving south towards Kommetjie.
In light of the fire risks, several areas have been closed to the public, including Platteklip Gorge, Maclear’s Beacon, Tafelberg Road, Kirstenbosch, and Newlands Forest.
Hikers have been urged to avoid the region entirely, as active fire lines and damaged trails pose serious dangers.
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Picture: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images
