Firefighters have been battling a blaze that has scorched 3 000 ha of vegetation in the Silvermine, Tokai and Boyes Drive areas of the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) since last Friday.
Up to 250 firefighters from multiple agencies worked tirelessly throughout that Friday evening to contain the fire that erupted in Tokai Forest.
The firefighters divided the Tokai fire area into five to maximise their capacity and ‘surround’ the fire taking into account the wind speed and direction, according to City’s Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse.
“As a precautionary measure Disaster Risk Management (DRM) assisted with the evacuation of 198 households from the Noordhoek Manor, including 48 frail care residents. The residents of Barnyard- and Silwersteen also decided to evacuate,” he said.
DRM assisted with the evacuation of 198 households from the Noordhoek Manor, including 48 frail care residents, said DRM spokesperson, Sonica Lategan.
“Evacuees are staying with friends and family, as well as the Fish Hoek Civic Centre where Health Care Services are attending to them,” she said.
People’s Post reached out Noordhoek Manor but they could respond before going to print.
One female firefighter was injured during the fire and taken to hospital last Friday, said Carelse.
The City could not confirm whether she made a recovery yet when People’s Post enquired.
“One vehicle had also caught alight in the Silvermine parking area. Later that Friday evening the fire was creeping down Boyes Drive, Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek side, while on the Ou Kaapse Weg side it moved towards Noordhoek.
“Crews remained on the fire line throughout the night. An Incident Management Team Type 3 has been activated and we worked on a 12 hour rotation,” Carelse explained.
The wildfire burnt the central and south sections of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) and continued overnight, said South African National Parks spokesperson, JP Louw.
“Last night, a flare-up started above Boyes Drive and is slowly burning down towards the road above Lakeside. Another flare-up occurred in Chapman’s Peak around the early hours of the morning and is burning towards Hout Bay.
“Four helicopters were once again launched this morning and will focus on containing these two areas. The fireline above Tokai is being managed well with much of the active fire from last night extinguished. Crews remain in the area to ensure flare is addressed swiftly if it occurs,” he said.
Members of the community who were evacuated on Sunday as a precaution have now returned to their homes, Louw added.
The cause of the fire has yet to be identified.
The City nor SANParks could confirm if they fire may have been caused by a controlled alien vegetation burning.
They also did not specify whether a permit of a controlled burning was approved.
Coniston Park resident and member of ConWatch, Keegan Ford alongside a team of seven members also assisted the firefighters last Friday.
“We assisted with traffic control in Zwaanswyk road, Tokai and we had a team at Lakefire fire station taking in donations from the public, as well as teams in field assisting with route clearance for emergency vehicles. Public control was the most challenging but it was inspiring to able to lend a hand,” he said.
A light rain that fell this Tuesday morning provided some relief for the firefighters battling the fire which was burning since last Friday evening.
“The helicopters that were airborne earlier have been grounded again, due to poor visibility this morning,” Carelse said.
Firefighting crews from the City, TMNP, NCC Wildfires and Volunteer Wildfire Services remain on scene, Carelse confirmed.
“The Incident Management Team will be assessing the situation and deciding on the way forward in the next hour. It is likely that resources will be scaled back once the IMT has completed its assessment,” he said.
The public are urged to strictly adhere to all hiking and mountain bike trail closures and to avoid the Silvermine, Tokai and Boyes Drive areas of Table Mountain National Park for their own safety.
“We also urge members of the public to allow easy access for firefighters. Further updates will be provided in the course of the day,” Louw said.
Donations in the form of water, energy drinks and bars, as well as non-perishable items may be dropped off at Lakeside Fire Station.
For more information contact SANParks Regional Communications Manager Lauren Howard Clayton at Lauren.Clayton@sanparks.org.
You must be logged in to post a comment.