UPDATE:
The fire on Table Mountain has been contained.
Lauren Howard Clayton, SANParks spokesperson, said that fire was “100% contained,” by Saturday evening and that mop up operations would commence.
“A fresh team of 20 firefighters from Nature Conservation Corporation (NCC) Wildfires will be carrying out mop up operations along the fire line in accessible areas through the evening. New crews will come in [the] morning to continue with mop up operations within the burnt area,” Clayton added.
In another statement, the City of Cape Town said that 12 hikers needed to be brought down from Platteklip Gorge after they were overwhelmed by dense smoke.
“A female hiker was in a serious condition and needed to be airlifted for urgent medical attention. At 18:40 on Saturday evening, the incident was declared closed,” said the City.
UPDATE:
An increase in wind speed fuels the blaze into night two.
See more: Pictures/Videos: Table Mountain burns
Saturday night:
UPDATE:
Firefighting teams are still battling to contain a fire which has been burning in a ravine on top of Table Mountain since approximately 8pm on Friday 28 October.
The fire broke out late yesterday evening in Fountain Ravine and spread to the top of the mountain close to the Cable Way area. The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway has suspended its services.
A chopper provided by Working on Fire in the Southern Cape has been water bombing the fire since 12pm today.
#UPDATE ?Fountain Ravine Fire?
Thanks to @EnviroWildfires for the images that show what the ground and aerial resources have to contend with at this fire. Very dangerous conditions on inaccessible cliffs.
The fire is burning in Fountain Ravine and on Fountain Peak. pic.twitter.com/KYTJqkIrdL
— NCC Wildfires (@NCCWildfires) October 29, 2022
SANParks spokesperson Lauren Howard-Clayton says that they are continuing with suppression efforts until the fire is contained.
SANParks urges its visitors to please steer clear of the Platteklip Gorge hiking trail during this volatile stage and gives thanks to the ground and aerial crews as well as Metro Search and Rescue for their dedication.
Update to follow.
UPDATE:
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway has suspended its services.
SANParks – According to TMNP’s Fire Manager, Mr Philip Prins, “The fire has burnt up the steep slopes of the mountain, along the western section of the upper cable station. We have ground attending to the flat areas where accessible.”
Emergency services are requesting that people avoid the area including Tafelberg Road. Law enforcement and Traffic services are redirecting traffic.
Approximately 30 firefighters from the NCC Wildfires and Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) are on the scene in conjunction with Working on Fire’s (WOF) helicopter.
More VWS firefighters are on their way to assist with the fire.
“We’re going to continue with our fire suppression efforts until the fire is contained,” concluded Prins.
Update to follow.
UPDATE:
SANParks – The fire which broke out around 8pm yesterday evening on the Kasteelport side, in Fountain Ravine is currently ongoing.
It has been confirmed that a chopper will be operational as of 12pm today, provided by Working on Fire in the Southern Cape.
Fresh ground crews from NCC Wildfires have been dispatched and carted up by cable car. A request for further assistance has been made to the Volunteer Wildfire Services this morning.
According to TMNP’s Fire Manager, Mr Philip Prins, “The fire has spread towards the top section of the cableway area and crews from Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) and the City of Cape Fire and Rescue Services remain on scene to mitigate the spread of the fire where accessible.
Parts of the fire along the western slopes, below the cable station, are still inaccessible to ground crews.”
“We ask that members of the public exercise caution, and monitor social media channels for operational updates. We also ask that they cooperate with any requests from firefighting crews that have been deployed,” concluded Prins
The cause of the fire remains unknown at this stage.
Update to follow.
UPDATE:
SANParks – Table Mountain National Park’s NCC Wildfires crews from Newlands and Kloofnek are responding to a fire in the Fountain Ravine near the Cableway station.
According to TMNP’s Fire Manager, Mr Philip Prins, “the fire is not spreading at the moment as the wind is stable. Teams will monitor the fire throughout the evening as the area is inaccessible and dangerous for our firefighters at this stage. We will monitor the situation closely and keep the public informed.
“Thank you to the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway for your assistance in carting our firefighters to the top section of Table Mountain.”
A fire broke out on Table Mountain just after 7pm this evening. Mountain Safety tweeted an image of the blaze, burning high up.
Wildfire Table Mountain servive informed and mobile @vwsfires @TableMountainNP pic.twitter.com/At0KkDEn5T
— Mountain Safety (@SafetyMountain) October 28, 2022
The location of the fire is inaccessible for responders, who are currently at the scene.
The City of Cape Town fire department’s Jermaine Carelse said that Table Mountain National Park is trying to gain access from Tafelberg road.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
More to follow.
Also read:
CapeNature investigate takeover of Table Mountain National Park
Picture: @EnviroWildfires / Twitter
