Over 100 Firefighters Battle Wildfires on Table Mountain, Cape Town

More than 100 firefighters are battling two wildfires on South Africa’s Table Mountain. Significant progress has been achieved in controlling the fires, which have persisted since Sunday. There is no immediate threat to G20 meetings in Cape Town, and emergency responders are on alert for potential flare-ups throughout the night.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — More than 100 firefighters are currently combating two wildfires that have ignited on the slopes of South Africa’s Table Mountain. As per the South African National Parks, which oversees the mountain, significant progress has been reported in controlling the blazes, with the involvement of 115 firefighters along with four helicopters and two aircraft.

The wildfires have been burning since at least Sunday, endangering the proximity of Cape Town. A meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors from the Group of 20 nations is taking place in Cape Town, but officials have asserted that there is no threat to this gathering.

Wildfires are prevalent in the Cape Town area during the hot summer months from December to April, exacerbated by strong coastal winds. A particularly severe fire in 2021 destroyed notable buildings at the University of Cape Town and necessitated evacuations of nearby neighborhoods.

Fortunately, there have been no injuries reported concerning the current fires. Firefighters are prepared to remain on site throughout the night to mitigate the risk of reignition, particularly with winds potentially increasing.

In summary, over 100 firefighters are actively working to control two significant wildfires on Table Mountain in Cape Town. Their efforts have made substantial headway, ensuring no danger to ongoing international meetings. Historical context highlights the area’s vulnerability to wildfires, accentuating the ongoing challenges faced by firefighting efforts during extreme weather conditions.

Original Source: www.newsday.com