Thunder struck Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) on
\nSaturday 27 April, causing sporadic fires across various locations, currently
\naffecting access to the park as popular hiking trails are closed while
\nfirefighters and volunteers mop up simmering hotspots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following an assessment conducted by the TMNP Fire
\nManagement, JP Louw, head of communication for the South African National Parks
\n(SANParks), said yesterday morning (Monday) that the Skeleton Gorge fire has
\nhad several hotspots in the mountain cliffs and behind Kirstenbosch Gardens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAerial resources have been placed on standby for
\nfirefighting, but operations are currently not possible due to challenging wind
\nconditions and cloud cover. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThroughout the day, ground crews from TMNP NCC
\nEnvironmental Services, Working on Fire, as well as the City of Cape Town
\nBiodiversity Unit, will be deployed, with staff presence scheduled for
\novernight monitoring.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Saturday, TMNP reported several fires as a result of
\nlightning strikes in multiple areas, namely Cecilia Forest, Silvermine, and the
\nCape Of Good Hope (Cape Point) main road, which has been contained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
TMNP redeployed firefighting crews from the Cape of Good
\nHope main road fire to a fire currently situated above Skeleton Gorge and the
\nHely-Hutchinson Reservoir along the Back Table within the park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFirefighting crews and aerial resources have been deployed
\nat first light this morning, providing crucial aerial support to contain and
\nmanage the fire effectively above Skeleton Gorge. Unfortunately, due to strong
\nwinds, aerial resources have stood down until it is deemed safe to conduct
\nwater bombing operations,\u201d Louw explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Given the fire\u2019s location in inaccessible terrain,
\nparticularly in the cliffs, it poses ongoing risks, especially as wind patterns
\nshift. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Louw cautions visitors from visiting the park: \u201cFor safety
\nreasons, we urge hikers to avoid the area until further notice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Update on affected hiking areas in TMNP:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Back Table and Skeleton Gorge <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Newlands Forest access area (Fire base) and surrounding
\ntrails will remain closed to members of the public. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trails from Constantia Nek to Newlands Forest, will also
\nremain closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Camps Bay and Hout Bay trails has been reopened<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cape of Good Hope<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hiking routes from Gifkommetjie to Circles Vlei and trails
\noriginating from Olifantsbos, as well as Sirkelvlei hiking trail and Link Road
\ncycling route in the Cape Of Good Hope section, have been reopened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDuring the weekend\u2019s fire operations, more than 20 guests
\nwere evacuated from two accommodation sites in TMNP, namely Overseers Cottage
\nalong the Back Table, as well as Olifantsbos in the Cape Of Good Hope, as a
\nsafety precaution.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In case of emergencies or sightings of new fires, please
\ncontact 086\u2009110\u20096417 or the Newlands Dispatch at
\n021\u2009689\u20097438.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Thunder struck Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) on Saturday 27 April, causing sporadic fires across various locations, currently affecting access to the park as popular hiking trails are closed while firefighters and volunteers mop up simmering 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