South Peninsula firefighting efforts continue
The City of Cape Town's Fire and Rescue Service continues to lead the charge with the assistance of a host of other agencies in bringing a massive fire in the South Peninsula under control.
A helicopter reconnaissance was carried out this morning and currently the fire has to be contained in three sectors: Chapman's Peak on the Hout Bay side, Tokai Forest, and Noordhoek. The fire is high up on the mountain slopes and ground crews are dealing with sporadic flare-ups. They are also monitoring the situation in Clovelly near Kalk Bay, but there is no threat to lives or property in that area at this stage.
Two helicopters are water-bombing parts of Hout Bay to safeguard properties along Military Road, Hugo Street, and Avenue Suzanne. A few properties along the Noordhoek side of Chapman's Peak are also under threat at this stage. There has, however, been no damage to any other properties since yesterday.
‘The fact that the wind died down considerably yesterday has certainly aided the efforts of fire crews on the ground. Some rain has also been forecast for tomorrow. Hopefully that will also bring some relief, but for the moment we are dealing with very high temperatures today and a lot of pressure still on the staff. This has been a massive effort thus far and I commend all of the agencies involved for their hard work in trying to save lives and property,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
Chapman's Peak Drive remains closed to traffic as well as Boyes Drive between the golf course and Old Boyes Drive.
Fact sheet:
The fire started in the early hours of Sunday 1 March 2015 above Boyes Drive in Muizenberg and subsequently spread over an extensive area including Ou Kaapse Weg, Chapman's Peak, Hout Bay and Tokai as a result of strong winds.
The City's Fire and Rescue Service, Disaster Risk Management and Environmental Resource Management staff and volunteers, Table Mountain National Park, Working On Fire volunteers, Wild Land Fire Services and the Volunteer Wildfire Services are involved in the firefighting effort.
One firefighter sustained burn wounds and is in hospital; 52 frail-care residents of a Noordhoek retirement village were treated for smoke inhalation.
Five homes have been damaged along Silvermine Road in Noordhoek. The Tintswalo Lodge at the foot of Chapman's Peak was damaged as well.
At least 30 households were evacuated in Noordhoek, as well as residents of the San Michelle Old-Age Home and the Noordhoek Manor Retirement Village. Residents at the latter have since been able to return home.
Three mass care centres have been set up to accommodate those who have been displaced: at the Dutch Reformed Church in Kommetjie Road, Fish Hoek; at the Dutch Reformed campsite in Noordhoek; and at the Fish Hoek Community Hall.
Members of the public in affected areas are advised to hose down thatched roofs, keep all windows closed and to call the City of Cape Town's 107 Public Emergency Call Centre in the event of an emergency. They can dial 107 from a landline and 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.
Statement issued by Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, City of Cape Town, March 3 2015
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