Update | 10am, Wednesday, 30 April:
As firefighting efforts have been scaled back in the South Peninsula, where multiple fires erupted in Tokai on Friday, 25 April, several areas within Table Mountain National Park are being deemed ‘successfully contained’.
‘The area along Boyes Drive into Kalk Bay, around Clovelly and along Ou Kaapse Weg into Noordhoek has been deemed safe,’ said City of Cape Town’s Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse.
‘At Klein Constantia, there are hotspots that are inaccessible to firefighters. These are being monitored. At Tokai Manor House, VWS and NCC attended to hotspots overnight and will remain in attendance until the area is deemed safe.’
South African National Parks (SANParks) confirmed that firefighters will remain on scene to monitor the areas burnt and conclude with mop-up operations, adding that members of the public are still urged to avoid the affected areas until further notice.
‘Although no active fire lines remain, the burnt areas between Upper Tokai, Silvermine, Constantia Nek, above Boyes Drive, Noordhoek, Clovelly and Chapman’s Peak remain volatile and hazardous,’ said SANParks.
‘We strongly urge hikers, mountain bikers and all members of the public to avoid these zones [as indicated in the map] until further notice. Hidden hotspots, weakened trees and smouldering roots present serious risk.’
Picture: Parkscape / Facebook
Update | 11:30am, Tuesday, 29 April:
South African National Parks (SANParks) announced in its latest update that the fire that erupted in Tokai on Friday, 25 April, has burnt approximately 3 000 hectares of vegetation within Table Mountain National Park (TMNP).
The organisation also confirmed that a flare-up broke out above Boyes Drive last night and is slowly burning down towards the road above Lakeside while another flare-up, which started in Chapman’s Peak in the early hours of Tuesday morning, is burning towards Hout Bay.
‘Four helicopters were once again launched this morning and will focus on containing these two areas,’ said SANParks.
In the most recent update, however, City of Cape Town’s Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse confirmed that these helicopters have been grounded due to poor visibility this morning.
‘Light rain has, however, started falling on parts of the fire area, and it is hoped that this will provide some much needed relief and expedite efforts to extinguish the fire that’s been burning since Friday evening,’ said Carelse.
‘The incident Management Team (IMT) will be assessing the situation and deciding on the way forward in the next hour.’
Ground crews currently remain on scene with the possibility that ‘resources will be scaled back’ one the IMT completes its assessment.
Regarding the nearly 200 residents who were evacuated as a precaution on Sunday, SANParks reported that they have returned to their homes, but cautioned the public to continue adhering to all hiking and mountain bike trail closures, as well as to avoid the Silvermine, Tokai and Boyes Drive areas of TMNP.
City’s traffic services spokesperson Maxine Bezuidenhout also confirmed that all affected roads have been reopened.
Picture: Parkscape / Facebook
Update | 9:30am, Tuesday, 29 April:
City of Cape Town’s Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse confirmed that helicopters were deployed this morning as ground and aerial firefighting efforts continue, reports Cape {town} Etc.
‘The fire is not contained yet, and there is some concern that the two fire lines are creeping towards Chapman’s Peak,’ said Carelse.
‘Crews from the City’s Fire & Rescue Service, TMNP, NCC and VWS remain on scene to continue active firefighting, and to watch for any potential flare-ups.’
Members of the public are reminded to steer clear of the affected parts of the South Peninsula for their own safety, as well as to give emergency services unhindered access to the fire lines.
Carelse also added that donations are now closed as there are enough provisions to keep the teams sustained.
‘We also want to reiterate our sincere appreciation to the individuals, businesses and organisations who have made donations of food and drinks to the frontline workers,’ Carelse expressed.
City of Cape Town’s traffic services spokesperson Maxine Bezuidenhout also confirmed that a number of roads remain closed as a result of the fire:
- Westlake Drive and Boyes Drive
- Tokai Road and Zwaanswyk Road
- Old Boyes and Boyes Drive
- Boyes and Anderson Road
- Main Road and Old Boyes Drive
- Main Road and Boyes Drive
- Main and Clairvaux Drive
Road users are advised to avoid non-essential travel in these areas, as surrounding routes will likely be impacted by the traffic being diverted away from the road closures.
Update: 7pm, Monday, 28 April.
The wildfire sweeping through the Tokai and Silvermine sections of Table Mountain National Park remains uncontrolled, with firefighters continuing to battle the blaze to prevent it from reaching nearby suburbs such as Tokai, Zwaanswyk, Noordhoek, and Cloverly.
Although the situation in Zwaanswyk, Ou Kaapse Weg, Silvermine, and Noordhoek has been stabilised, teams remain on high alert for potential flare-ups. From early Monday morning, four helicopters were deployed to assist ground crews by water bombing critical areas. Thankfully, no buildings have been damaged so far, but roughly 2,600 hectares of natural vegetation have been scorched.
Personnel from multiple agencies, including Table Mountain National Park Fire Management, Volunteer Wildfire Services, Working on Fire, Provincial Disaster Management, Enviro Wildfire Services, Cape Peninsula Fire Protection Services, the City of Cape Town’s Biodiversity Management, and Fire and Rescue Services, have been working relentlessly on the frontlines. Aerial support operations will end by 7pm due to low light, but ground crews will remain throughout the night to tackle hotspots.
Authorities have raised alarms over cyclists entering restricted zones despite ongoing firefighting efforts. The public is urged to respect all closures for their own safety. Officials strongly advise avoiding the central and southern regions of the park until conditions improve.
Regarding access, Ou Kaapse Weg has reopened, but authorities request that the public refrain from hiking into burnt areas, many of which are still dangerously hot. There have been several incidents of individuals attempting to enter these restricted zones. Animal welfare organisations, including the SPCA, are actively patrolling the affected areas to monitor wildlife impacted by the fire.
The following areas will remain closed until further notice as a safety measure:
- All hiking trails in Tokai and Silvermine, both east and west, are off-limits.
Officials continue to monitor the situation and urge the public to stay informed through official updates for safety instructions and the latest developments.
A fierce wildfire fanned by dry brush and intense winds has ripped through the Tokai region of Table Mountain National Park, reducing nearly 3 000 hectares of vegetation to ash since it ignited late Friday night.
The relentless blaze, which continues to threaten biodiversity hotspots, has forced authorities to shut down popular hiking trails in Tokai and Silvermine indefinitely, warning residents and visitors to steer clear until the area is deemed safe.
As firefighters battle to contain the inferno, the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa (AWS SA) reported a flood of emergency cases at their clinic, with dozens of pets arriving in urgent need of medical care after suffering burns and smoke inhalation.
‘Our clinic has been inundated with emergency cases this weekend as many other organisations have been closed for the public holidays,’ the group said, adding that their hospital team has been working around the clock to treat injured animals.
The fire’s rapid spread has not only endangered domestic pets but has also wreaked havoc on indigenous wildlife, threatening species that rely on fynbos vegetation unique to the Cape region.
The City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services, along with SANParks rangers and volunteer firefighting units, have been battling the blaze for days under harsh conditions, with aerial water bombers deployed to assist from the sky.
Update: 12:30pm, Monday, 28 April.
Firefighting efforts continue with aerial resources and ground crews working tirelessly to contain two remaining active fire points.
Choppers have been water bombing the fire line on Constantiaberg for the last few hours, battling growing wind conditions as the fire got into invasive thickets.
The choppers have now been diverted to the slopes above Stonehurst as strong westerly winds are pushing the fires east above the naval base, where dense invasive thickets pose a risk. Muizenberg and Lakeside slopes are also at high risk.
Update: 10:30am, Monday, 28 April.
The Western Cape provincial Department of Infrastructure can confirm that Chapman’s Peak Drive is open and normal toll operations are in place.
The situation is being monitored closely and may be closed if the need to dedicate the route to emergency vehicles or if it is unsafe for road users. To support efforts in the area to fight the blaze, please reconsider visiting the area until it is fully contained.
Update: 8:30am, Monday, 28 April
The fire that broke out in Tokai on Friday continues to burn across parts of the Constantiaberg and Silvermine East. Crews have worked through the night to contain the blaze, as road closures and heavy smoke impact several areas across the Cape Peninsula.
Below is a live update of the situation as it unfolds.
9:30am | Ariel support active
Choppers are back in the sky, water bombing the fire line as conditions allow. Aerial firefighting efforts are currently focused on hotspots above Ou Kaapse Weg and along the slopes towards Vlakkenberg.
9am | Aerial resources mobilising
As daylight improves, helicopters are being deployed to assist ground crews battling hotspots along Constantiaberg and Vlakkenberg. Fog and heavy smoke are hampering visibility in some areas.
8:30am | Road closures remain in place
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Ou Kaapse Weg: Closed
-
Boyes Drive: Closed
-
Zwaanswyk Road: Closed at Tokai Road
-
Chapman’s Peak: Open
-
Main Road, Kalk Bay: Open
Motorists are urged to use Chapman’s Peak as an alternative route.
8am | No major flare-ups overnight
City of Cape Town Fire & Rescue spokesperson Jermaine Carelse confirms no major flare-ups overnight. Crews remained on the fire line throughout. An Incident Management Team Type 3 has been activated to strengthen oversight.
7:30am | Public support pouring in
Donations of water, energy drinks, bars and non-perishable food can be dropped off at Lakeside Fire Station. Pick n Pay and Checkers also offer donation options via their delivery apps.
7am | Fire creeping downslope
Parkscape reports the fire continues to creep slowly down the slopes from Silvermine East, above the naval barracks. It remains active above Ou Kaapse Weg.
6:30am | Firefighters praised for overnight efforts
Local residents and officials have flooded social media with messages of gratitude. JP Smith confirmed that drone surveillance was used to anticipate fire movements and reposition crews accordingly overnight.
Important safety reminder: Please stay clear of all closed routes to allow emergency services free access.
How to help: Drop off donations at Lakeside Fire Station or donate via supermarket delivery apps.
Update: 4pm, Sunday
Firefighters are currently engaged in an intense battle against the Tokai mountain fire, with over 90 brave firefighters deployed across five critical fronts – Noordhoek, Steenberg Estate, Ou Kaapse Weg, Clovelly, and Noordhoek.
The City of Cape Town has mobilised its extensive firefighting resources to tackle the blaze, which has raised significant concerns about safety and air quality in the region, reports Cape {town} Etc.
The City has reported that it has committed substantial resources to the effort, including twelve major pumper fire engines, five strike teams, and five water tankers, all working tirelessly to suppress the flames and protect local communities.
As a precaution, the Noordhoek retirement village has been evacuated to ensure the safety of its residents amid the ongoing crisis.
In a show of community solidarity, City officials are calling for donations to support the firefighters on the front lines. Members of the public have been encouraged to contribute refreshments to help keep these heroes hydrated and nourished as they fight the arduous battle against the raging fire.
Donations of various essentials are being welcomed at the Newlands Fire Base, located in Newlands Forest.
The City has specified its immediate needs for donations, which include:
- Bottled water
- Nutritional drinks such as Energade and Powerade
- Energy bars
- Saline-based eye drops to assist those struggling with smoke and ash
Update: 3:30pm, Sunday
As wildfires rage, emergency services in the Southern Cape have been called in to assist to combat the blazing inferno that is perilously close to the suburban area of Zwaanswyk.
With flames advancing to within 200 metres of residential properties, residents are braced for imminent evacuation as the situation escalates rapidly, reports Cape {town} Etc.
In a bid to bolster firefighting efforts, two additional Bell Huey helicopters have been deployed to the region, joining existing resources mobilised to contain the spreading fires.
These aerial reinforcements are crucial in combating the flames that threaten to engulf homes and the surrounding landscape.
Currently, there is only one route available for emergency vehicles, fire trucks, and support personnel to access the affected area, which poses a significant logistical challenge given the urgency of the situation.
In light of the escalating danger, several roads in the vicinity have been closed to further facilitate safe movement for emergency services.
Residents should be aware of the following road closures effective immediately:
- Main and Boys Drive, Lakeside
- Main and Old Boys Drive
- Main and Boys Drive near the Harbour
Authorities are urging motorists to use Chapman’s Peak Drive as an alternative route while the fires are contained.
Update: 3pm, Sunday
A rapidly advancing wildfire in the Upper Tokai and Silvermine areas has prompted urgent evacuations and public safety warnings. Authorities are advising all hikers and mountain bikers to stay clear of these popular outdoor spaces as firefighters grapple with the blaze.
The situation escalated quickly, leading to the closure of Ou Kaapse Weg in both directions from Steenberg to the Sun Valley side, where thick smoke and reduced visibility render the route perilous for motorists, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Local residents and visitors are advised to heed these warnings and evacuate their surroundings, particularly those currently at Silvermine West (Gate 1) and Silvermine East (Gate 2), who must leave the area immediately.
SanParks, the organisation managing the affected areas, is closely monitoring the wildfire and is committed to providing ongoing updates to the public as the situation unfolds.
In a show of community spirit, SanParks has also put out a call for support for the brave firefighting crews battling the blaze. Donations of various essentials are being welcomed at the Newlands Fire Base, located in Newlands Forest.
Items that are particularly appreciated include:
- 500ml bottles of water
- 500ml bottles of Energade/Powerade
- Energy or snack bars
- Chocolates
- Small packets of nuts or snacks
- Eyedrops
- Hydration powder
- Fresh fruit
Update: 11:30am, Sunday
The Upper Tokai section of Table Mountain National Park remains closed today as emergency crews battle to contain a series of wildfires that erupted on Friday afternoon.
Sparked by reckless human action, these fires have necessitated the full mobilisation of firefighting resources in an effort to safeguard both the park’s unique ecosystem and the public, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Three separate fires ignited in the Lower and Upper Tokai areas, leading to immediate containment strategies. While the first two fires were successfully controlled overnight, the situation remains precarious as the third blaze continues to rage, currently threatening both Elephant’s Eye and the dense Gym Thickets area.
In another latest update, Table Mountain National Park ground firefighting crews and aerial resources responded to several flare-ups in the Upper Tokai/Silvermine section of the park on Sunday.
‘All individuals in both the east and west sections of Silvermine are required to evacuate immediately for their safety.
‘The current operation includes three helicopters, a spotter plane, and ground firefighting teams from Table Mountain National Park, with support from the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services and Volunteer Wildfire Services,’ SanPark said.
Firefighting teams are on high alert, working tirelessly to prevent further encroachment into the surrounding trees and vegetation, SanPark said.
As a precautionary measure, SANParks has announced the closure of all trails in Tokai, effective immediately. This includes popular hiking routes such as the Elephant’s Eye footpath, as well as mountain biking and horse riding trails, ensuring the safety of outdoor enthusiasts during this hazardous time.
An advisory issued by SANParks states, ‘We are investigating the causes of the fires. Preliminary reports suggest they may have been started deliberately,’
They urge anyone with pertinent information regarding the fires to step forward and assist in the investigation.
Update: 5:58pm, Sunday
DRM officials and volunteers have been activated to assist the Fire Services to coordinate relief efforts.
DRM assisted with the evacuation of 198 households from the Noordhoek Manor, including 48 frail care residents.
Evacuees are staying with friends and family, as well as at the Fish Hoek Civic Centre where Health Care Services are attending to them.
Residents are encouraged to check in on their neighbours, especially the elderly or those who may need assistance.
Residents with pre-existing health conditions, elderly individuals and children must take extra precautions during smokey conditions.
It is advised to put a damp cloth over the mouth and nose to limit smoke inhalation.
Monitor for symptoms of smoke exposure, such as coughing, throat irritation, shortness of breath, or chest pain. If symptoms develop, seek medical attention as necessary.
Live updates: Suspected arson sparks multiple fires in Upper Tokai
