CoCT suspects arson as cause of Table Mountain wildfires

Cape Town — As firefighters battle to contain the fires on Table Mountain, the City of Cape Town is currently investigating whether the fires were an act of arson.

Wildfires have hit the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) since Sunday morning and throughout the week, the fires spread affecting the Newlands Ravine, Red Hill and Tafelberg areas. However, by Thursday morning, firefighters were able to contain most of the blaze and the TMNP reopened some hiking trails to the public.

“The fire at the Newlands Ravine which spread to the front face of the mountain in TMNP has been contained in areas including those that were inaccessible to firefighters,” it said on X.

FIRE IN TABLE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK CONTAINED, SOME HIKING TRAILS REOPENED

The fire at the Newlands Ravine which spread to the front face of the mountain in TMNP has been contained in areas including those that were inaccessible to firefighters. Link: https://t.co/Yz5ytpMAPC pic.twitter.com/Fpz638FR8y

— SANParks TMNP (@TableMountainNP) February 27, 2025

With the fires now under control, the city is looking to determine the causes behind them as a possible arson case is suspected.

City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, said in a video on Facebook that the city’s spotter plane noticed smoke coming near the Redhill area.

“It was at this point that we became suspicious as the evidence showed the fire was started alongside the road,” Smith said.

He said another fire was started near the M5 roadway near Blackriver Parkway.

“I have asked the fire department to obtain a forensic investigation into the origin of these fires due to the suspected arson,” Smith concluded.