CAPE TOWN – Firefighters are battling to contain a wildfire that broke out in Deer Park in Cape Town earlier this afternoon.
Fuelled by extreme heat, low humidity and wind-driven embers, the blaze was spreading quickly toward Devil’s Peak.
The South African Weather Service issued a weather advisory for the Western Cape, warning of conditions that could intensify the fire.
Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City’s Fire and Rescue Services, said a helicopter is assisting with aerial firefighting.
He added that an Incident Command Post had been set up to coordinate resourcing and deployment.
According to Carelse, no property is currently at risk, nor have any injuries been reported.
The South African National Parks (SANParks) said in a press statement that access to the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway (TMACC) via Tafelberg Road remained open, except for the section of the road beyond the ablution facilities.
It said the following trails had been closed for public safety:
• All trails within Deer Park and above Tafelberg Road
• Footpaths and jeep tracks leading to Camps Bay
• Pipe Track
• All footpaths accessing Camps Bay from Back Table and Apostle Battery
• Trails above the Twelve Apostles
SANParks said safety remained its priority, urging hikers to avoid the affected areas.
