Residents living near several of Cape Town’s protected natural areas may notice smoke drifting across parts of the city this week, but officials say it is all part of a carefully planned environmental effort aimed at protecting biodiversity and preventing larger fires in future, reports Cape ETC.
City of Cape Town/Facebook
The City of Cape Town has confirmed that prescribed ecological burns are scheduled to take place between 2–4 March, weather permitting, at Blaauwberg, Westlake, and Tygerberg nature reserves.
City environmental teams stress that these burns are intentional, tightly managed, and guided by ecological science rather than emergency response.
As outlined by the City’s Biodiversity Management Branch, fire plays a natural and necessary role in maintaining the health of fynbos ecosystems.
Without periodic burning, dense mature vegetation blocks sunlight, preventing seeds from germinating and reducing species diversity over time.
Officials explain that controlled burns remove this canopy layer, allowing sunlight to reach the soil and stimulate regeneration, a process essential for many indigenous plant species unique to the Western Cape.
Beyond ecological renewal, the burns also serve a safety function by reducing accumulated plant material that could otherwise fuel uncontrolled wildfires during hotter, drier periods.
The City has mapped out a three-day schedule, subject to suitable weather conditions:
Today — Blaauwberg Nature Reserve
A roughly 10-hectare section east of Blaauwberg Hill, between the R27 and Zonnekus Road, will undergo a prescribed burn aimed at rejuvenating ageing Cape Flats sand fynbos.
Tuesday 3 March — Westlake Conservation Centre
A 2,11-hectare area between Steenberg Road and Oukaapseweg in Tokai will be treated as part of a broader ecological restoration plan.
The site contains critically endangered vegetation, including Peninsula granite fynbos and Cape Flats sand fynbos, both dependent on periodic fire cycles every 12–15 years.
Wednesday 4 March — Tygerberg Nature Reserve
Approximately 33 hectares on the reserve’s western slope near Plattekloof will be burned to restore endangered Swartland Shale Renosterveld, which requires fire intervals ranging from seven to twenty years. The reserve will remain closed to visitors during operations.
City authorities emphasise that extensive preparations have been completed ahead of the burns. As highlighted by the City, all necessary permits have been secured through Air Quality Management and Fire and Rescue Services.
Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews, reassured residents that trained crews will oversee the process.
‘Residents can be assured that burning permits for these fires have been successfully obtained… Qualified and experienced firefighters from the Biodiversity Management Branch, along with supporting agencies, will conduct the operation and all necessary fire fighting vehicles, equipment and safety measures are in place to ensure the burns are carried out safely and responsibly,’ he said.
Ignitions will only proceed under ideal weather conditions and will not take place on Fridays, weekends or public holidays. Each burn is expected to be completed within a single day, with no new ignitions after 2pm.
Meanwhile, communities bordering the affected areas are being urged to prepare for temporary smoke and ash in the air.
City officials advise residents to:
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Keep windows and doors closed during burns
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Avoid hanging laundry outdoors
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Postpone vehicle washing due to ash residue
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Clear vegetation along property fence lines, a legal requirement under the National Veld and Forest Fire Act of 1998
These precautions aim to minimise disruption while allowing ecological work to proceed safely.
Authorities say updates will be communicated should weather conditions delay any scheduled burns.
Residents seeking additional information can contact [email protected], while wildfires should be reported to Fire and Rescue Services on 107 (landline) or 021 480 7700 (cellphone).
Article shared by Cape ETC
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