The Tokai wildfire has been contained after four days of fierce battle.
Image: Jeremy Rose | Volunteer Wildfire Services
Fire crews largely contained the Tokai wildfire on Tuesday evening, April 29, after four consecutive days of intense ground and aerial operations.
Firefighters remained on scene throughout the evening to monitor the burnt areas and carry out mop-up operations.
Operations have been scaled back significantly, and the cooler weather conditions have helped, said Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City’s Fire and Rescue Service on Tuesday evening.
“We have closed the divisions in the Noordhoek, Clovelly and Boyes Drive areas. Efforts are now concentrated on Klein- and Groot Constantia, as well as upper Tokai, where an extensive area of hotspots is still smouldering.
“There are currently 22 staff members on scene from the City’s Fire and Rescue Service, along with staff from Table Mountain National Park, NCC Environmental Services and Volunteer Wildfire Services.”
By Wednesday morning, Mr Carelse reported that firefighting efforts had been scaled back even further.
"The area along Boyes Drive into Kalk Bay, around Clovelly and along Ou Kaapse Weg into Noordhoek has been deemed safe. There are hotspots at Klein Constantia that are inaccessible to firefighters, these are being monitored. At Tokai Manor House, VWS and NCC attended to hotspots overnight. They will remain on site until the area is deemed safe."
Although no active fire lines remain, SANParks warned in a statement, that burnt areas between Upper Tokai, Silvermine, Constantia Nek, above Boyes Drive, Noordhoek, Clovelly, and Chapman's Peak, remain volatile and hazardous.
“We strongly urge hikers, mountain bikers, and all members of the public to avoid these zones until further notice. Hidden hotspots, weakened trees, and smouldering roots present serious risks.”
Four helicopters were launched earlier that morning to focus on containing two flare-ups, says JP Louw, SANParks head of communications and spokesperson.
One above Boyes Drive, which started Monday night, slowly burned towards the road above Lakeside. Another flare-up occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning around Chapman's Peak, burning towards Hout Bay.
The fire line above Tokai was mostly contained with much of the active fire being extinguished the night before and members of the community, including Noordhoek and Zwaanswyk, who were evacuated on Sunday as a precaution, had returned to their homes.
The wildfire began on Friday evening, April 25, in the Lower and Upper Tokai region of Table Mountain National Park.
According to SANParks, the TMNP’s Fire Department responded to three fires in the precinct that had been deliberately started.
No arrests have been made as yet and there is an ongoing investigation, says police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg.
He said a suspect had been arrested for an unrelated mountain blaze.
“A 37-year-old male was arrested and detained at Fish Hoek SAPS for starting a fire in a conservation area, however, there is no indication that he can be linked to the Table Mountain fires. He will also be charged for the possession of mandrax and in terms of the immigration act.”
Eckardt Winks, executive support officer in the City’s Safety and Security Directorate, provided more details on the arrest.
“The suspect was observed entering into the unburned mountainous area of Clovelly, seen to be carrying a container that was feared to be holding liquid accelerant.
“The Lakeside Joint Operations Centre who was coordinating the firefighting efforts, were alerted and a radio call was put out to all enforcement staff.
“Law Enforcement volunteer auxiliary members were on duty in the area, and managed to identify the footprints of the suspect leading into the trail. While tracking the suspect on the mountain side they noted signs of a fire being started ahead and rushed to the location.
“At the site, they discovered a small fire had been ignited, seemingly in an attempt to prepare food. The fire was extinguished and the suspect was arrested, in his possession officers also discovered mandrax.”
Members of the public are encouraged to call the City’s Public Emergency Communications Centre on 021 480 7700, if they witness any signs of fire or for suspicious behaviour of persons entering the mountain trails.
When possible, photograph or video evidence should be gathered as this may prove crucial if further investigations are required, Mr Winks said.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Simon’s Town Magistrate's Court today, Wednesday April 30.