It is all hands on deck as crews from SANParks, Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS), NCC Wildfire Services, and the City of Cape Town Fire & Rescue battle a fire in Table Mountain National Park.

According to the latest update on the park’s Facebook page – posted 13 hours ago – a fire above Boyes Drive and in Peck’s Valley remained active.

“The left flank of the fire has been contained in areas accessible on foot, while the right flank in Peck’s Valley continues to burn downhill towards the road. Efforts are currently focused on slowing the fire’s downhill progression.”

The update noted that Boyes Drive remains closed to the public.

“Members of the public and hikers are strongly urged to avoid the surrounding trails until further notice. The fire was first reported at about 08:30 [yesterday], and two fire crews were immediately mobilised. VWS were mobilised about 45 minutes after this. The City fire resources were also mobilised. The fire is being driven by a strong and variable wind which makes conditions difficult for the ground crews to fight.”

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The blaze comes less than two months after a fire raged in the Silvermine section of the park, between Tokai and Noordhoek in the southern peninsula.

In a Facebook post last Sunday, SANParks announced that trails closed in Tokai and Silvermine East (including Kalk Bay, St James, Muizenberg mountains and the Steenberg Plateau) will reopen on July 1.

“The Silvermine picnic site and boardwalk around the dam and as well as the riverwalk and other trails will remain closed as all the infrastructure at Silvermine West has been damaged and the ablution blocks burnt down. Infrastructure repairs will take some time and we will not be able to open the picnic area while there are no toilets.”