Table Mountain torched! – 3,000 Hectares of paradise reduced to ashes

Cape Town – A raging wildfire has scorched approximately 3,000 hectares of vegetation in Table Mountain National Park, prompting South African National Parks (SANParks) to escalate firefighting efforts with aerial water bombing at first light on Tuesday.

The fires, which have been burning for days, flared up overnight above Boyes Drive, creeping toward Lakeside, and in Chapman’s Peak, threatening Hout Bay.

SANParks, in collaboration with strategic partners, deployed four helicopters this morning to target these critical areas.

“Last night [Monday] a flare-up started above Boyes Drive and is slowly burning down towards the road above Lakeside.

“Another flare-up occurred in Chapman’s Peak in the early hours and is burning towards Hout Bay.

“The fireline above Tokai is being managed well, with much of the fire from last night [Monday] extinguished. Crews remain in the area to ensure a flare-up is addressed swiftly if it occurs,” SANParks said in its latest update.

Ground crews have successfully extinguished much of the active fire above Tokai, with teams remaining on high alert to tackle potential flare-ups.

The extensive damage to 3,000 hectares indicates the severity of the blaze, which has consumed vast swathes of the park’s unique fynbos ecosystem.

Residents evacuated on Sunday have returned home, but SANParks urges the public to avoid Silvermine, Tokai, and Boyes Drive areas and to comply with trail closures for safety. Authorities also request clear access for firefighters as operations continue.

The public is advised to stay vigilant and adhere to safety directives as SANParks battles to contain the fire and protect the iconic Table Mountain landscape.