People warned to stay out of Table Mountain National Park as fire still uncontained in several areas

SANParks says the fire continues to rage in parts of Table Mountain National Park.

A SANParks statement issued at 5:45pm reads: `The wildfire currently affecting the Tokai and Silvermine sections of Table Mountain National Park remains uncontained. Fire crews from various agencies, including aerial support, have been actively working throughout the day to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby communities, including Tokai, Zwaanswyk, Noordhoek, and Clovelly.

While fire conditions in the Zwaanswyk, Ou Kaapse Weg, Silvermine, and Noordhoek areas are reported to be under control, crews are continuously monitoring for flare-ups. Early this morning, four helicopters began water bombing operations to assist ground crews in their efforts. Fortunately, there has been no structural damage reported, although approximately 2600 hectares of vegetation have been impacted by the fire.

All available resources from the Table Mountain National Park Fire Management, Volunteer Wildfire Services, Working on Fire, Provincial Disaster Management, Enviro Wildfire Services, Cape Peninsula Fire Protection Services, City Biodiversity Management and the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services are actively on-site. Teams will continue to address hotspots throughout the night, although aerial operations will conclude before 7:00 PM due to darkness.

There is a continued concern regarding the presence of cyclists in areas that have been closed off due to fire damage and ongoing firefighting operations. The public is urged to comply with all trail closures to ensure their safety. It is strongly recommended that members of the public avoid accessing the central and southern sections of Table Mountain National Park at this time.

Road Closures:
Ou Kaapse Weg is now open to the public; however, we kindly ask everyone not to stop and hike into the burnt areas. Some spots are still hot, and people have already attempted to access closed sections of the park. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and other welfare organisations are already on site, monitoring the animals that have been impacted by the fire.

As a precaution, the following areas will remain closed until further notice:
- Tokai and Silvermine, both east and west hiking trails will remain closed to the public.

Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and will issue further updates as conditions change. Please follow official channels for verified information and safety instructions.

Issued By:
JP Louw - SANParks Head of Communications and Spokesperson'

Meanwhile, many social media users have shared their fire stories: