Firefighters Battle Escalating Wildfires in Table Mountain National Park as Flames Spread Towards Tafelberg Road

Firefighters are facing a tough battle as wildfires continue to spread across Table Mountain National Park (TMNP).

The fire has worsened, fueled by strong gusting winds that changed overnight, pushing the Newlands Ravine blaze towards Tafelberg Road and Vredehoek.

Firefighting Teams Mobilize All Resources

The situation remains critical as multiple teams have been called in to fight the fire.

Teams from TMNP fire management, NCC Wildfires, Volunteer Wildfire Services, Working on Fire, Provincial Disaster Management, Enviro Wildfire Services, and the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services are working around the clock.

These teams have been focused on critical areas like Tafelberg Road and Red Hill, aiming to contain the fire’s spread.

At first light, aerial firefighting resources were deployed as a top priority to both the City Bowl and Red Hill areas. The goal is to stop the fire from spreading further while limiting damage to these high-risk areas.

Red Hill Fire Remains Active

In addition to the fire near Tafelberg Road, the Red Hill fire continues to burn.

The flames are now moving southward toward Ocean View and Kommetjie, making it an area of significant concern.

Firefighters are actively working to control this blaze, which is still far from being contained.

Areas Affected by the Fire and Closures

Due to the ongoing threat, several areas around the park remain closed to the public for safety reasons:

• Front Table trails, including Platteklip Gorge and Maclear’s Beacon, are closed from Platteklip Gorge to Newlands.
• Tafelberg Road is also closed to the public.
• Kirstenbosch and Rhodes Memorial Estate remain inaccessible due to active fire lines near these locations.
• Newlands Forest is off-limits as well.
• Red Hill trails are closed, with access restricted from Red Hill, Slangkop, Ocean View, Jonkersdam, and Kleinplaas Dam.

Hikers Must Adhere to Safety Warnings

One of the major concerns right now is the safety of hikers who are ignoring the trail closures.

Despite clear warnings, some hikers have continued to venture into areas that are at risk from the fires.

The public is urged to follow all closures to avoid putting themselves in danger.

Ongoing Updates and Public Safety

This story is developing, and more updates will follow as the situation changes.

For now, the public is advised to stay away from the affected areas and heed all safety measures in place.

We will continue to provide updates on this unfolding event as soon as new information becomes available.

Stay safe, and please check back for more updates on this dangerous wildfire situation.