Emergency services on alert as Table Mountain park fires escalate

SANParks says they will deploy aerial resources to the Cape Town City Bowl and Red Hill as firefighters battle escalating wildfires in the Table Mountain National Park.

SANParks says gusting winds overnight led to the spread of the blaze that started at the Newlands Ravine on Sunday.

Spokesperson JP Louw says all their available resources including from Working on Fire, the City of Cape Town, and the provincial Disaster Management have been diverted to sections along Tafelberg Road, Red Hill and Ocean View in Kommetjie.

Louw says hiking trails remain closed for safety.

Cape Winelands District fires

Meanwhile, authorities at the Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services say only two of the five fires in the Witzenberg area are still active.

Several crews have been battling blazes in the area since last week.

Municipality Spokesperson Jo-Anne Otto says no injuries or loss of property has occurred.

“Fire teams have contained the fire line that was moving toward the Witzenberg Valley and the pass was reopened last night. Teams were able to contain the line above the farm Schalkenbosch however, the two lines above Landliebe and Boontjiesrivier situated in the mountains between Tulbagh and Mitchells Pass are still active. Monitoring and mopping-up will continue on all contained lines, while teams will continue.”

Table Mountain National Park on fire: