Update | 9am
SANParks has confirmed that, thanks to significant progress made overnight and in the early hours of Tuesday morning, the Camps Bay wildfire has been successfully contained, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Screenshot from video / Facebook
‘Approximately 25 hectares of vegetation have been affected by the blaze. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation,’ said SANParks.
‘Fresh firefighting teams, comprising approximately 50 firefighters across five crews, will be deployed this morning to ensure hotspots are put out and flare-ups are attended to.
SANParks added that while thermal drone operations assist in detecting any remaining underground hotspots and aerial support is still activated, the following trails and access points remain closed to the public:
- Footpaths and Jeep Tracks to Camps Bay
- Pipe Track
- Theresa Avenue and Geneva Avenue
- All footpaths accessing Camps Bay from Back Table and Apostle Battery
- Trails above the Twelve Apostles
Additionally, given the weather advisory for hot to very hot and uncomfortable conditions by the South African Weather Service (SAWS), ground crews will remain on the fire line.
Members of the public who would like to donate food, water and energy drinks are welcome to drop these off at the Newlands Fire Base.
Update | 8:30pm
SANParks has confirmed that firefighting efforts will continue through the night to stabilise and contain the wildfire, which broke out near the Pipe Track in the Camps Bay area on Monday afternoon, reports Cape {town} Etc.
SANParks – Table Mountain National Park / Facebook
According to the organisation, the fire’s right flank remains active and is still threatening the urban edge on the Camps Bay side.
‘Currently, an estimated 90 firefighters from SANParks, NCC Wildfire Services, the City of Cape Town Fire & Rescue Services, Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) and Working on Fire (WoF) are actively working to contain the blaze,’ said SANParks.
‘The fire is currently 95% contained at this stage. Aerial support has stood down and will resume operations at first light.’
As a precaution, hiking trails in the area remain closed to the public.
An inside source added that active firefighting is ongoing, as there have been numerous flare-ups as a result of the gusty wind conditions. There has been no reported damage to property at this time.
‘The situation is being closely monitored,’ concluded SANParks.
‘Further updates will be issued as new information becomes available.’
An estimated 50 firefighters from SANParks and other emergency services are actively working on containing a wildfire that broke out in the Camps Bay area, near the Pipe Track, on Monday afternoon, reports Cape {town} Etc.
According to SANParks, aerial support, including a helicopter currently en route from George, has been activated to assist containment efforts by ground firefighting crews from SANParks, the City of Cape Town Fire & Rescue Services, Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) and Working on Fire (WoF).
Members of the public are advised to steer clear of the area and note the temporary closure of the following hiking trails
- Foot paths and Jeep Tracks to Camps Bay
- Pipe Track
- Theresa Avenue, Geneva Avenue
- All footpaths accessing Camps Bay from Back Table and Apostle Battery
- Trails above the Twelve Apostles
‘The situation is being closely monitored and further updates will follow as information becomes available,’ said SANParks, who added that the hiking trails have been closed as a precautionary measure.
SANParks – Table Mountain National Park / Facebook
Article shared by Cape Town ETC
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