Prescribed burning in Table Mountain National Park commenced in the early hours of this morning. TMNP had earlier obtained a burning permit to conduct a biodiversity burn in the Northern Section of the Park.
Prescribed burning
This prescribed burn takes place under favourable weather conditions, i.e. temperatures under 25°C, moderate winds of less than 20km/hr and 2-3 days after light rain has fallen.
Although we appreciate that such burning is a source of concern to many Cape Town residents, it must be stated that wildfires will occur and an uncontrolled fire or wildfire could pose a huge risk to life and property on the urban edge.
The removal of dry flammable material by means of a prescribed burn will reduce the likelihood of future uncontrolled wildfires.
Smoke on Table Mountain
Fynbos vegetation is both fire-prone and fire-adapted and the use of fire forms an integral part of the ecological management of the park.
TMNP Fire Management Department together with the SANParks Cape Research Centre have developed a scientifically Prescribed Burning Plan for the entire park. This plan determines and prioritizes areas for prescribed burning. This takes into consideration veld age, rare and endangered species, alien clearing and etc.
The reasons for conducting prescribed burns in fynbos vegetation are:
a) To reduce fire hazards by reducing the unnecessary “fuel” accumulated in the field as a result of Alien Plant Clearing operations
b) To rejuvenate the fire-adapted and fire-dependent fynbos vegetation
c) To form an essential part of control operations aimed at eliminating invasive alien plants.
Residents in the adjoining areas of the park should be assured that Park management will do its best to minimize any possible inconvenience to adjacent households.
Where adjacent properties to the park may be affected by a prescribed burn, Park management will make an effort to inform such landowners and residents in good time of the intent to carry out a burn.
While the prescribed burn takes place
When the burn takes place, surrounding residents are advised to please keep their windows shut while burning takes place. Flammable items such as gas canisters should be removed from outside areas. Laundry should be taken off washing lines to prevent odour contamination from the smoke.
