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The current priority areas are the mountain sides above Clovelly, Houtbay and the Tokai Plantation. The vegetation burnt in the Tokai area has caused dangerous boulders to be dislodged and roll down the mountain endangering the lives of fire fighters on the ground.

Although firefighters are looking forward to the rain that has been forecast, the swing of wind to the North West before the anticipated rain will bring new challenges, perhaps pushing certain fires in a different direction. The original estimate of 3000 hectares of vegetation burnt in the fires has increased in the meantime to about 4000 hectares.

Multiple teams from Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), Dept. of Environmental Affairs – Working on Fire teams and the Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) continue to battle the fire. At least 198 flying hours have been logged resulting in 2000 water drops, equivalent to about 2 million liters of water. The flying hour cost is currently estimated at R2.4 million. Moreover an additional 250 WoF firefighters have been dispatched from other provinces to join the current team on the ground.

In addition, 4 helicopters, two water bombers and one spotter plane have been up in the air since Sunday trying to contain the fire. Containment is proving to be a challenge right now as the fire is raging over a large expanse so that the challenge is to decide which areas to focus on.

Untrained members of the public has been asked not to volunteer to assist with firefighting efforts as this will put their safety and the safety of trained firefighting officials at risk.

For more information contact the TMNP spokesperson Merle Collins on 072 627 3910 or the National Communications Manager for Wof, Linton Rensburg on 078 508 0990.

Issued By

South African National Parks (SANParks) Cape Region Communications

Media Enquiries

Merle Collins
Regional Communications Manager: Cape Region, South African National Parks
Cell: 072 627 3910
Email: [email protected]