Tuesday, 29 April, 17:00: Firefighting operations have been scaled back significantly today, with the cooler weather and light rain setting in earlier.
Cape Town fire services have closed the divisions in the Noordhoek, Clovelly and Boyes Drive areas. Spokesperson Jermaine Carelse says efforts are now concentrated on Klein- and Groot Constantia, as well as upper Tokai, where an extensive area of hotspots is still smouldering.
There are currently 22 staff members on scene from the City’s Fire and Rescue Service, along with staff from TMNP, NCC and VWS.
Crews have battled for over three days to bring the massive Upper Tokai and Silvermine fires under control. By midnight last night, the MMC for Safety and Security JP Smith had announced that large parts of the fire line was under control.
Three separate fires started on Friday afternoon and evening in the Lower and Upper Tokai areas of Table Mountain National Park, prompting the mobilization of fire resources from SANParks and other agencies.
However, major flare-ups on Sunday morning caused one of the fires to spread over significant terrain, to areas including Noordhoek, Kalk Bay and Clovelly.
Earlier this morning, there was some concern that the two remaining fire lines were creeping towards Chapman’s Peak.
The fireline above Tokai is being managed, with much of the active fire from last night extinguished.
Around 3000 hectares of vegetation have been burnt.
Four helicopters were airborne again at 09h00 this morning to continue aerial firefighting efforts. However, the choppers were grounded shortly before 11h00 due to poor visibility.
The public is asked to please steer clear of the parts of the South Peninsula that have been affected, for their safety, but also to give firefighters space to do their jobs.
SANParks stated from the outset that the fires were started deliberately. A fire investigator will now determine how the fires started.
Earlier this morning, police confirmed a 37-year-old man was arrested and detained at the Fish Hoek police station for starting a fire in a conservation area, however, there is no indication that he can be linked to the Tokai blazes. Mandrax was also found in his possession.
ALSO READ: ‘Fire-starter’ arrested, but no link to Tokai-blaze – police
Smith has meanwhile rubbished reports that private property was damaged. He says the only reports of damage was four cars and a motorcycle at the Silvermine parking lot.
As a precaution, Tokai and Silvermine, both east and west hiking trails, will remain closed to the public.
Members of the community who were evacuated on Sunday as a precaution earlier returned to their homes.
