Mandilakhe Tshwete
The City of Cape Town has called for an investigation into the fires that have forced closures along parts of the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), saying that arson is suspected.
This, as firefighters continue battling Sunday's Newlands Ravine fire that spread toward Tafelberg Road and Vredehoek on Tuesday, while the fire in Red Hill burns south of Ocean View toward Kommetjie.
SANParks spokesperson, JP Louw, said: “Significant progress has been made in containing the Newlands Ravine fire as well as the Redhill fire in Table Mountain National Park. The fires have been largely contained in areas accessible to ground firefighters. Mopping-up operations will begin in those areas where it has been contained. Firefighting teams will remain on the fire line throughout the night. The Newlands Ravine fire is still currently burning in the inaccessible steep cliff areas of the mountain. Four helicopters and two spotter planes were deployed at first light (yesterday) morning. Fifty firefighters are attending to the fire in Redhill and 65 firefighters in Newlands."
Safety and Security mayco member, JP Smith, said the City's fire crews kept a watchful eye but flames fanned by a strong South Easter were seen to begin licking over the surface of Table Mountain and quickly made its way down the Newlands Ravine.
“By 10pm (on Tuesday) our fire and rescue services had declared a major incident and assembled a senior management team on site.
“It became a challenging affair when earlier on Tuesday, a large-scale fire was reportedly burning close to Red Hill informal settlement once more, and our spotter plane, which was already in the air diverted its course to give us clear visuals.
“It was at this point that we became suspicious, as the evidence showed, the fire was started alongside the road again.
"I have asked the fire department to obtain a forensic investigation into the origins of these fires due to the suspected arson.”
@manditshwete #SAMA28 #capetownsouthafrica #capetown #capetowntiktok #southafrica ♬ original sound - Mandilakhe Tshwete
Firefighter, Jamie von Sacken, has narrated his experience with the wildfires.
“I’m from British Columbia, Canada, and I've been a firefighter for over 10 years now, but this is my first time in South Africa. I've been on an exchange programme with both VWS (Volunteer Wildfire Services) and NCC Wildfires, just to do a learning exchange between fire agencies across the world.
“It's the steepest one. We were fighting fire underneath Pulpit Rock. We were on the line for 23 hours dealing with an active fire line, patrolling through the night and trying our best to keep this thing contained.
“Unfortunately, the wind was very strong.”
Von Sacken spent 23 hours battling the Table Mountain blaze and went home at 2pm yesterday to rest.
As the firefighters battled the inferno, community members from across Cape Town delivered supplies, including granola bars, water, energy drinks, and even ice lollies.
@capeargus_news 📹 Firefighters continue to battle the Newlands Ravine fire that broke out on Sunday morning and flared up again on Tuesday. Firefighting crews have now been deployed in Vredehoek and along Table Mountain road as the fire approaches homes. Strong winds have spread the flames over Devil’s Peak and the fire can be seen from the city bowl. Currently no buildings are at risk and no evacuation orders are in place. #tablemountainfire #news #capetown ♬ War Hammer - Noise Candy Music
Meanwhile, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson, Edward Bosch said the fire on Table Mountain was largely contained by Wednesday afternoon.
"Four helicopters are still water bombing the fire-line overhead while ground crews are mopping up. No property damage or injuries have been reported."