Fire crews continue the fight to contain a wild fire that erupted in Tokai on Friday.
Image: Parkscape
Fire crews worked through the night to contain a wildfire that ignited in Tokai on Friday, April 25, and continues to burn across Constantiaberg and Silvermine East.
No major flare-ups were reported overnight, Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City’s Fire and Rescue Service shared this morning.
“Choppers will be airborne after an assessment. One female firefighter was injured and taken to hospital. As of last night the fire was creeping down Boyes Drive, Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek side, while on the Ou Kaapse Weg side it moved towards Noordhoek.”
The public have been urged to stay away from the affected areas, while crews are closely monitoring the situation.
“An Incident Management Team Type 3 has been activated and will work on a 12-hour rotation. This provides greater oversight in managing the incident,” Mr Carelse said.
According to SANParks, no structural damage has been reported, though around 3000 hectares of vegetation have been affected.
Tokai and Silvermine hiking trails remain closed until further notice. SANParks has urged the public to strictly adhere to all trail closures and to avoid the central and southern sections of Table Mountain National Park for their own safety.
Road closures remain in place and impacts several areas across the South Peninsula.
Closures include:
- Main Road and Boyes Drive
- Main Road, Lakeside
- Main and Clairvaux
- Noordhoek and Old Kaapse Weg/Boyes Drive
- Steenberg and Tokai Road near the Circle
- Tokai and Zwaanswyk
On Sunday, Mr Carelse said the fire has been divided into five to maximise their capacity and surround the fire, taking into account the wind speed and direction.
“As a precautionary measure, the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre assisted with the evacuation of 198 households from the Noordhoek Manor, including 48 frail care residents. The residents of Barnyard and Silwersteen have decided to evacuate,” Mr Carelse said. ("Noordhoek Manor residents evacuated as firefighters battle Freedom Day blaze" False Bay Echo, Sunday April 27)
Donations in the form of water, energy drinks and bars, as well as non-perishable items may be dropped off at Lakeside Fire Station.