[Image: Volunteer Wildfire Services / Facebook]
The fire that broke out in Tokai on Friday, 25 April, has caused widespread devastation for everything in its path, and by now, most of us have seen the scary images circulating on social media.
South African National Parks (SANParks) has just released an update on the continuing fire, which has endangered thousands of residents, burned through 3,000 hectares of vegetation, displaced wildlife, and resulted in one firefighter being hospitalised. Yes, it’s a mess.
Making matters worse, Daily Maverick reports that an arson suspect was arrested after residents saw him walking with cans in Clovelly.
But the fight’s not over yet. SANParks is continuing to fight fires whilst monitoring flare-ups on Table Mountain National Park.
“Another flare-up occurred in Chapman’s Peak around the early hours of the morning and is burning towards Hout Bay. Four helicopters were once again launched this morning and will focus on containing these two areas.
The fireline above Tokai is being managed well with much of the active fire from last night extinguished. Crews remain in the area to ensure flare is addressed swiftly if it occurs.
Members of the community who were evacuated on Sunday as a precaution have now returned to their homes. We urge the public to strictly adhere to all hiking and mountain bike trail closures and to avoid the Silvermine, Tokai and Boyes Drive areas of Table Mountain National Park for their own safety. We also urge members of the public to allow easy access for firefighters.”
FIREFIGHTING EFFORTS CONTINUE – UPPER TOKAI/SILVERMINE
Firefighting operations remain active in the Upper Tokai and Silvermine sections of TMNP, where flare-ups have been reported throughout t/ morning. Aerial & ground crews continue to respond swiftly to these developments pic.twitter.com/pzfFztqNfC
— SANParks TMNP (@TableMountainNP) April 27, 2025
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SANParks is calling on Capetonians to continue avoiding all hiking and mountain biking trails and to steer clear of the Silvermine, Tokai, and Boyes Drive areas.
[Source: Daily Maverick & SANPARKS]
