Breaking news: Table Mountain battles fires

On Saturday (April 27), Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) reported several fires following lightning strikes in multiple areas, which has led to the closure of certain tourist activities.

Following the latest assessment conducted by TMNP’s Fire Management team, a Skeleton Gorge fire currently has a number of hot spot areas in the mountain cliffs and behind Kirstenbosch Gardens.

“Aerial resources have been placed on standby for firefighting, but operations are currently not possible due to challenging wind conditions and cloud cover,” SANParks said in a press release.

Today (April 29), ground crews from TMNP NCC Wildfires Environmental Services, Working on Fire (leading global integrated fire management agency), as well as the City of Cape Town Biodiversity unit, will be deployed, with staff presence scheduled for overnight monitoring.

“Given the fire’s location in inaccessible terrain, particularly in the cliffs, it poses ongoing risks, especially if wind patterns shift….