The City of Cape Town has informed residents and visitors that the Tygerberg Nature Reserve is temporarily closed to allow for mop-up operations after a fire on Tygerberg Hills.

• The reserve will remain closed to the public until it is safe again to enter and the mopping-up operations have been completed
• Visitors are encouraged to explore other nature reserves that have a variety of recreational activities and hiking trails
• Season ticket holders can access all of the City’s nature reserves

Teams from the City’s Fire and Rescue Service and Biodiversity Management Department put in a huge effort in containing the wildfire that broke out in the reserve last week Thursday, 25 January.

Thanks to their efforts, the City was able to open the reserve on Saturday morning, but unfortunately, some areas flared up again later in the day and by 13:00 the reserve had to be closed to visitors.

The natural vegetation that burnt is Renosterveld which has a six to eight year burn cycle. Thus, a fire in the right season and right veld can benefit the overall biodiversity and health of fynbos and the Renosterveld ecosystem.

‘On the up-side, I can inform residents the area that burnt was old and in terms of ecological integrity the burn will rejuvenate the veld. We hope to see a myriad of spring flowers on the now blackened Tygerberg Hill by September,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.

No infrastructure was damaged in the fire.

‘We want to thank residents who so generously provided refreshments to staff while we were managing the fire. And to our neighbouring land owners we also want to extend our gratitude for their support, cooperation, and understanding,’ said Alderman Andrews.

For general enquiries, kindly phone the Tygerberg Nature Reserve on 021 444 8971, or send an email to Tshepo.Mamabolo@capetown.gov.za.