Firefighters rush to contain blazes cropping up in Cape Town

70 firefighters and three helicopters have been dispatched by the Table Mountain National Park to attend to a wildlife in Red Hill, Cape Town. 

The fire broke out on Saturday, and is said to be 80% contained. 

???? #RedHillFire????

Table Mountain National Park has dispatched 70 firefighters from @NCCWildfires @wo_fire @vwsfires as well as three helicopters to a fire that broke out in Redhill.

Additional crews from VWS are on route.

More updates to follow shortly.#TableMountain #Fire pic.twitter.com/r4049k8HMy

— SANParks TMNP (@TableMountainNP) January 2, 2021

⚠️WC Fire Update⚠️
????Redhill Fire
A Huey chopper and a spotter have been dispatched to assist the @TableMountainNP in fighting the Redhill fire #SavingLive#ProtectingTheEnviroment
Cape Peninsula Fire Protection Association

Pic: File pic.twitter.com/0cOS4LKvyj

— Working on Fire (@wo_fire) January 2, 2021

Firefighters from NCC Wildfires, Working on Fire, Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) and the city’s fire and rescue services are at the scene trying to curb the blaze. 

Additional VWS firefighters are said to be en route to assist. 

ALSO READ: City appeals for help after fire guts 1,000 homes in Cape Town

Reports indicate a fire in Bakoven also broke out on Saturday, forcing the closure of Victoria Road in both directions. 

#NEWSTART ???? Bakoven ????@NCCEnviron Wildfire Agent Services is responding to a fire at Bakoven. @cptfrs are in attendance. Very strong winds.

Victoria Road closed in both directions.#WeHaveGotYourBack#FireIsEveryonesFight@ceweksange @TableMountainNP

— NCC Wildfires (@NCCWildfires) January 2, 2021

Cape Town is currently experiencing strong winds and warm, sunny weather, which increase the risk of wildfires burning out of control. 

The South African Weather Service on Saturday issued a level 2 warning for damaging winds in the Cape Town area.

Western Cape Today ‘s Weather overview: 2.1.2021 pic.twitter.com/SJ22uk05kD

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) January 2, 2021

⚠️Wolfgat Reserve Fire update ⚠️

Despite windy and hot weather conditions, the two Falsebay teams managed to contain the flames alongside the City of Cape Town firefighters.
Although it burned close to properties in Mitchells Plein, non were affected.#SavingLives pic.twitter.com/lsPEt58MdD

— Working on Fire (@wo_fire) January 1, 2021

A fire was also reported at Deer Park Drove, which was attended to by the Kloofnek crew of the city’s fire and rescue services. 

In December last year, a fire tore through the Masiphumelele community near Fish Hoek. Roughly 1 000 homes were destroyed.

Updates to follow as more information is made available.

Compiled by Nica Richards

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