Aerial survey of TMNP fire damage underway, most hiking trails still closed
SANParks has urged people to avoid areas where trail closures are in place in Table Mountain National Park.
SANParks aerial survey of fire damage to Silvermine. Image: Facebook
Graeme Raubenheimer (in for CapeTalk's John Maytham) is joined by Charles Phahlane, senior manager of Communications for SANParks in the Cape Region.
South African National Parks (SANParks) kicked off with an aerial survey of the fire damage to Silvermine and surrounding areas on Thursday.
Close to 3,000 hectares of vegetation have been destroyed in the fire that spread across the southern section of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) after it first started in Silvermine on Friday night.
RELATED: Cape Town firefighters bring parts of mountain blaze under control, now focusing on hotspots
The aerial survey is focusing on Silvermine and will confirm the extent of the damage to hiking trails.
SANParks' Charles Phahlane says the report to follow will inform to what extent they open the trails.
"We do know that people in Cape Town love hiking cycling and just going out in nature, and it's a pity that we've had to close those trails but they're not safe -boardwalks have been damaged, rocks are loose, and with these rains it's just going to cause a hazard to our visitors."
Charles Phahlane, Senior Communications Manager - SANParks Cape
"Firefighters have indicated that quite a lot of the boardwalks were burned down, as well as signage for trails, so there is quite a bit of work we need to do. We need to understand the extent of the damage to see which boardwalks are damaged, how we can repair them, and how long it's going to take."
Charles Phahlane, Senior Communications Manager - SANParks Cape
Although the fire is now contained and mopping up operations are underway, the following areas remain potentially hazardous due to smouldering stumps and logs as well as unstable soil: Upper Tokai, Silvermine, Constantia Nek, section above Boyes Drive, and Clovelly.
Chapmans Peak and the East Fort trails have now been opened, Phahlane says.
Firefighters are still monitoring the situation in the affected areas to respond to any flare-ups.
"Although the rains today do help it's a bit sporadic - you'd need about 40 millimeters to assist in extinguishing smouldering embers or the logs and the roots that may still be burning."
Charles Phahlane, Senior Communications Manager - SANParks Cape
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