Firefighters Tackle Blazes on Table Mountain in Cape Town

More than 100 firefighters are battling two blazes on Table Mountain in Cape Town, with significant progress reported. The fires have been burning since Sunday, coinciding with a G20 meeting in the city. There are no reported injuries, and firefighting efforts will continue overnight to prevent a resurgence.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Over 100 firefighters are actively combating two fires that have ignited along the slopes of South Africa’s iconic Table Mountain. Authorities from South African National Parks, which oversees the mountain, have reported that efforts are making significant headway in controlling the blazes, which posed a risk of spreading towards the city of Cape Town.

The firefighting operation includes 115 personnel, four helicopters, and two aircraft, demonstrating a robust response to the emergency. The fires have been active since at least Sunday, and coincided with a conference involving G20 finance ministers and central bank governors taking place in the city, which remained unaffected by the fire.

Wildfires are a recurring issue during the summer months in Cape Town, typically from December to April, exacerbated by strong coastal winds. A notably severe fire in 2021 resulted in the destruction of historical structures at the University of Cape Town and led to evacuations in surrounding neighborhoods.

Thus far, there have been no reports of injuries associated with the current fires. The National Parks authority stated that firefighting efforts would persist through the night, as there remains a potential for the fires to reignite should wind conditions worsen.

In summary, the firefighting response on Table Mountain has involved more than 100 firefighters, supported by aerial resources. Ongoing efforts are crucial to prevent the spread of the fires towards Cape Town. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, and officials remain vigilant as they monitor the situation overnight to mitigate any potential resurgence of the flames.

Original Source: www.newsday.com