Recent wind changes have intensified fire activity on Table Mountain, leading to overnight flare-ups and prompting the closure of multiple hiking trails for safety reasons.
Table Mountain fire update: What areas are affected?
The fire has flared up behind Newlands, in Fernwood Park, and on the slopes towards Orangekloof, affecting the steep and challenging terrain of the Kirstenbosch slopes and moving towards Maclear’s Beacon and the Back Table of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP).
These areas are known for their rugged landscape, which complicates firefighting efforts.
Which hiking trails are closed on Tuesday, 30 April 2024?
For public safety, all hiking trails between Newlands and Constantia Nek are closed.
Additionally, trails leading to Maclear’s Beacon and the Back Table of TMNP, including those from the areas between Camps Bay and Hout Bay, are also closed.
SANParks, in a statement, urged the public to respect these closures to ensure safety and not hinder firefighting efforts.
“SANParks currently has 40 firefighters from NCC Environmental Services and Working on Fire actively engaged in various areas along the fireline, but the fire’s intensity is being influenced by wind shifts and cloud cover, making it difficult to predict and control,” the statement read.
The closures are crucial to ensure the safety of residents, hikers, and firefighting personnel, SANParks stressed.
The affected areas are mostly inaccessible and currently have poor visibility, which poses significant challenges for both ground and aerial firefighting crews.
These conditions make it difficult to carry out water-bombing activities and active fire suppression.
SANParks lauded the community’s ongoing support and encouraged further help through donations.
They need 500-litre bottles of water, energy drinks, energy bars, warm meals, and sealed lunchbox snacks for the firefighters.
Donations can be dropped off at the Newlands Fire Base.