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7 March 2025
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Several teams and aerial resources respond to fire in Table Mountain National Park, Cape Town
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The fire at the Newlands Ravine, which spread to the front face of the mountain in Table Mountain National Park has been contained in areas including those that were inaccessible to firefighters. “This fire broke out on Sunday morning, 23 February 2025 and firefighters were immediately deployed to fight the fire, followed by aerial resources at first light. The fire then flared up on Tuesday night due to strong winds. By Thursday morning, the Newlands Ravine, front face of Table Mountain and surrounds had been suppressed. While the Redhill fire, which started later on Sunday, was tentatively contained on Wednesday afternoon, there was a flare up later and three new fires”, said South African National Parks (SANParks) in their statement.
City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service’s spokesperson, Edward Bosch, said, “The incident was first reported on 23 February 2025. Fire was creeping up the mountain slopes behind Newlands. Helicopters were utilised to water-bomb the fire line as it was inaccessible to ground crews. SANParks monitored the fire. On the evening of 25 February 2025, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue resources and other agencies remained on standby awaiting fire to reach accessible area. On the morning of 26 February 2025, the fire eventually crept over the saddle of the mountain with strong winds fanning it to the Vredehoek area.”
He added, “13 City of Cape Town firefighting resources from various fire stations as well as an Incident Management Team were dispatched to the incident. Several resources from Table Mountain National Parks, Disaster Risk management, Working on Fire, Volunteer Wildland Fire Services and Nature Conservation were on scene. Four helicopters assisted with water-bombing.”
“The fire line was divided into two divisions with active firefighting from both divisions. Aerial resources focused on the fire line the Tafelberg road side. Firefighting commenced on Wednesday, 26 February 2025 until Sunday, 2 March 2025. No injuries were reported. Challenges faced included strong winds, steep slopes and high temperatures during daytime”, said Bosch.
“South African National Parks (SANParks) wishes to thank all the organisations that assisted with the fires. These include NCC Wildfires, Volunteer Wildfire Services, Working on Fire, Enviro Wildfire Services and a special thanks to the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services as well as Provincial Disaster Management for their assistance. We also wish to thank corporates and members of the public who donated food and beverage supplies so generously to the firefighters. Many are volunteers who undertake this high-risk work in their spare time. The wildland fire fighters of TMNP and NCC work 24-hour shifts in the mountains and appreciate a warm meal and extra energy the donations provide especially in the cold dark hours of the night,” said South African National Parks (SANParks) in their statement.
Sources: South African National Parks (SANParks); Edward Bosch, spokesperson for the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service
City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service’s spokesperson, Edward Bosch, said, “The incident was first reported on 23 February 2025. Fire was creeping up the mountain slopes behind Newlands. Helicopters were utilised to water-bomb the fire line as it was inaccessible to ground crews. SANParks monitored the fire. On the evening of 25 February 2025, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue resources and other agencies remained on standby awaiting fire to reach accessible area. On the morning of 26 February 2025, the fire eventually crept over the saddle of the mountain with strong winds fanning it to the Vredehoek area.”
He added, “13 City of Cape Town firefighting resources from various fire stations as well as an Incident Management Team were dispatched to the incident. Several resources from Table Mountain National Parks, Disaster Risk management, Working on Fire, Volunteer Wildland Fire Services and Nature Conservation were on scene. Four helicopters assisted with water-bombing.”
“The fire line was divided into two divisions with active firefighting from both divisions. Aerial resources focused on the fire line the Tafelberg road side. Firefighting commenced on Wednesday, 26 February 2025 until Sunday, 2 March 2025. No injuries were reported. Challenges faced included strong winds, steep slopes and high temperatures during daytime”, said Bosch.
“South African National Parks (SANParks) wishes to thank all the organisations that assisted with the fires. These include NCC Wildfires, Volunteer Wildfire Services, Working on Fire, Enviro Wildfire Services and a special thanks to the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services as well as Provincial Disaster Management for their assistance. We also wish to thank corporates and members of the public who donated food and beverage supplies so generously to the firefighters. Many are volunteers who undertake this high-risk work in their spare time. The wildland fire fighters of TMNP and NCC work 24-hour shifts in the mountains and appreciate a warm meal and extra energy the donations provide especially in the cold dark hours of the night,” said South African National Parks (SANParks) in their statement.
Sources: South African National Parks (SANParks); Edward Bosch, spokesperson for the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service
