Three helicopters and multiple firefighting teams have been deployed, including the Table Mountain National Park firefighters, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, Enviro Wildfire Services, Volunteer Wildfire Services, NCC Wildfires, Provincial Disaster Management and others.
Image: JP Smith/Facebook
Firefighting teams are hard at work this Freedom Day after a fire caused residents of Noordhoek Manor Retirement Village to evacuate.
The fire, which started in Tokai on Friday, April 25, was mostly contained over the weekend but flared up again this morning, Sunday, April 27.
The City’s mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith, said in a Facebook post that multiple firefighting teams including Table Mountain National Park firefighters, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, Enviro Wildfire Services, Volunteer Wildfire Services, NCC Wildfires, Provincial Disaster Management and others have been deployed to fight the fire.
Resources include 12 major pumper fire engines, five strike teams, five water tankers and three helicopters were deployed for water drops, he said.
Due to increased wind speed, the fire spread from Tokai to Noordhoek, Steenberg Estate and Clovelly mountainside.
Staff at Noordhoek Manor declined to comment, saying they were busy evacuating the last residents.
"While no property is at risk, we're taking proactive measures to contain the fire. We'll provide further updates as the situation progresses," Mr Smith said.
Members of the public are urged to stay clear of the Upper Tokai and Silvermine areas. This includes all hikers and mountain bikers. Anyone currently in the areas of Silvermine West (Gate 1) or Silvermine East (Gate 2) must evacuate immediately as the fire continues to advance rapidly.
Ou Kaapse Weg has been closed in both directions from Steenberg to the Sun Valley side due to thick smoke and reduced visibility. Main Road and Boyes Drive near Lakeside Harbour are closed. Main Road and Old Boyes Drive are also closed. Chapman's Peak Drive which had been used as an alternative route has also since been closed.
The City has requested donations for the firefighting crews. Donations can be delivered to the Fish Hoek civic centre, Newlands Fire Base, Hair Gallery at 41 Tokai Road, Pick n Pay at Steenberg Village and DSR at 6 Grey Road, Glencairn Heights.
Items needed include 500ml bottles of water, 500ml bottles of Energade or Powerade, energy or snack bars, chocolates, small packets of nuts or snacks, eye drops, hydration powder and fresh fruit.
This is a developing story.
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