FIRE UPDATE: Boyes Drive, Chapman's peak flare-ups but largely under control - 'Preliminary investigation show fires intentionally set' - TMNP

CapeTalk's John Maytham, standing in for Lester Kiewit on Good Morning Cape Town, speaks to Table Mountain National Park Manager Megan Taplin about the latest situation on the South Peninsula fires.

"We are hoping the cooler weather, and more rain than predicted will help us with the situation."

Megan Taplin, Manager - Table Mountain National Park

"During the night there was a flare-up on the Boyes Drive side that is burning down towards Lakeside, but that is being monitired. It is quite high above that area at the moment."

Megan Taplin, Manager - Table Mountain National Park

"There was also a flare-up on the Chapman's Peak side, also being monitored, and we have helicopters standing by that will take off as soon as it is light and any mist has cleared - and they can go bomb both of those lines in Chapman's Peak and Noordhoek."

Megan Taplin, Manger - Table Mountain National Park

Taplin reports that the fire, which was actively burning in Tokai on Monday evening, is now mostly under control.

"It is not actively burning but we have crews on stand-by there in case of any flare-ups for Tokai as well as Constantiaberg."

Megan Taplin, Manager - Table Mountain National Park

Taplin notes all the fires started on Friday evening. Ignition points were found in the middle and upper areas of Tokai that evening. She explains that the fire subsequently began to burn toward Silvermine, resulting in the development of two flanks—one toward Boyes Drive and Kalk Bay, and the other toward Tokai due to changes in the wind.

Arson is suspected, she notes.

"Definately the preliminary investigation that we did shows intentional fires were set. Obviously we cannot conclude the investigation until the area is safe to enter and check everything."

Megan Taplin, Manager - Table Mountain National Park

She acknowledges that the situation has improved significantly by Tuesday morning.

"Depending on what happens with the wind especially - I believe there are North winds predicted today - so we will be focusing on where the winds will drive the different fronts

The good news is weather reports predict low winds of below 5 knots, notes John Maytham, so hopefully that won't be driving any fire fronts.