Firefighters are actively battling the Newlands Ravine fire, which flared up op Tuesday morning in areas that remain largely inaccessible to ground crews.
As a result, all trails in Newlands, Devil’s Peak, and Maclear’s Beacon remain closed until further notice. Rockfalls and fire damage to boardwalks have rendered these trails unsafe for hikers.
According to the Sout African National Parks, in addition to efforts at Newlands Ravine, ground crews and aerial resources have been diverted to assist in containing a separate fire in Red Hill, in collaboration with the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services. Additional aerial resources will also be deployed from Stellenbosch Airfield.
“A key concern at this stage is the wind forecast for this evening, which could significantly impact the Red Hill to Da Gama Park section of the Table Mountain National Park.” added Charles Phahlane, SANParks Senior Communications Manager – Cape Region
Phahlane says fire suppression efforts remain the top priority, with a focus on preventing further spread in these areas.
Meanwhile, over in the Cape Winelands, the District Municipality’s Fire Services and partners CapeNature and the Winelands Fire Protection Association has confirmed that they are attending to numerous fires in the Witzenberg area.
A new fire has been reported in the Lateganskop area just before Bainskloof. Fire crews and teams are in attendance and are exercising property protection. Choppers will be deployed as needed for added structural protection.
Teams on the lines that originated from the fire that started on the slopes of the Tulbagh mountains on Thursday, report that firefighting is ongoing.
The three flanks situated in the mountain between Tulbagh and Mitchells pass are still active. The lines above Schalkenbosch, Landliebe, and Boontjiesrivier are inaccessible in some areas, while in the accessible areas, teams are focused on preventing the fire from spreading.
According to the municipality, teams will continue to work throughout the night on Tuesday to fight the blazes.
“Teams continue to work the line above Wakkerstroom reserve in the Witzenberg Valley to prevent the spread of fire toward infrastructure.”
The pass to the entrance of the Witzenberg Valley will be closed for a few hours due to operational activities.
READ MORE: Several fires in the Western Cape
