News

The fire that broke out above Boyes Drive and in Peck’s Valley in Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) has been contained. Boyes Drive is now open to the public, but firefighting crews will continue with mop up operations and monitor the area.

Members of the public and hikers are urged to avoid the surrounding trails until further notice. Investigations will commence into the cause of the fire, but early indications are that a religious group may have started the fire. Park rangers found several religious groups illegally starting fires in the area. They were removed from the site and fined for violating fire safety regulations.

During the fire, no infrastructure or residential properties were damaged. No major injuries were sustained by firefighters, but a Volunteer Wildfire Services firefighter received medical assistance for smoke inhalation.

SANParks wishes to thank Simply Asia for the donation of hot meals last night as well as members of the public who dropped off bottles of water to assist the firefighters.

The fire was first reported at about 8.30 am, and two SANParks fire crews were immediately mobilized with four tankers and two skid units. Volunteer Wildfire Services were brought in as the fire spread, and the City of Cape Town’s fire tankers and crew assisted throughout the day. Fresh crews were brought in last night. The fire was driven by strong and variable “berg” winds, which made conditions difficult for the ground crews to fight the fire.