News

Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) is set to conduct fuel reduction burning as part of its biodiversity burns programme in multiple areas across the park. These fuel reduction burns also known as stack burning will take place between July and September under favourable weather conditions, i.e. temperatures under 25°C, moderate winds of less than 20km/hr and 2-3 days after light rain has fallen.

Whilst fires during this time could be a source of concern for some residents, it is important to emphasise that wildfires can occur if the areas targeted are not maintained. With the areas left unattended, an uncontrolled fire or wildfire could pose a huge risk to life and property on the urban edge. The removal of dry flammable material by means of fuel reduction burns will reduce the risks posed by future uncontrolled wildfires.

Fynbos vegetation is both fire-prone and fire-adapted and the use of fire forms an integral part of the ecological management of the park. TMNP undertakes fuel reduction burns annually during the cool winter months to remove stacked biomass generated by invasive plant-clearing operations. An assessment of the highest-risk areas is made and identified for burning during this time.

The reasons for conducting prescribed and stack burns in fynbos vegetation are:

1. To reduce fire hazards by reducing the unnecessary “fuel” accumulated in field as a result of alien plant clearing operations
2. To rejuvenate the fire-adapted and fire-dependent fynbos vegetation
3. To form an essential part of control operations aimed at eliminating invasive alien plants

Weather permitting, TMNP is planning to undertake prescribed burning at:

1. • Cape Point
   • Tokai Plantation and upper levels (Stake burning in Tokai is scheduled to commence from 10 July 2024 under favourable weather conditions)
   • Cecilia (Close to Kirstenbosch)
   • Newlands
   • Schotekloof (Cape Town)
   • Sea Point Gum Belt
   • Rhodes Memorial

Residents in the adjoining areas of the park should be assured that park management will endeavour to minimize any possible inconvenience to households during the preparatory work and burning operations.   When the burn occurs, surrounding residents are advised to keep their windows shut while the burning takes place. Flammable items such as gas canisters should be removed from outside areas and laundry should be taken off washing lines to prevent odour contamination from the smoke.

Please note that TMNP has obtained a burning permit through the City of Cape Town, and all relevant parties have and will be informed when burns take place. Please follow the TMNP Facebook page for a schedule of burning operations and or contact Newlands Fire Base number 021 689 7438 if you see smoke and wish to confirm whether burning operations are taking place in your area.