The Cape of Good Hope, a renowned site, was shut down on Friday morning due to an ongoing wildfire that has persisted for four days near Cape Town, South Africa’s legislative capital.
Originating on Tuesday in the mountain slopes of Simon’s Town, roughly 40 km south of Cape Town within the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality, the wildfire prompted the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) management to take precautionary action.
In an official statement on its social media, South African National Parks (SANParks) announced the closure of the Cape of Good Hope/Cape Point section of the Park. “In light of the ongoing fires in the Simon’s Town area and the potential risks to visitor safety, Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) management has opted to close the Cape of Good Hope/Cape Point section of the Park as a precautionary measure,” SANParks stated. They urged visitors and tour operators to adhere to the closures until an official announcement regarding the reopening of the Cape Point gate is issued, also advising minimizing visits to the Simon’s Town area.
SANParks reported that the wildfire had consumed roughly 1,140 hectares of land, including private, public works, and TMNP properties, since its outbreak on Tuesday. On Wednesday, among the 300 firefighters combating the blaze, five were injured, and two were hospitalized.
The fire led to the evacuation of around 40 nearby residences on Wednesday, and it threatened the Naval Base Simon’s Town, resulting in damage to one abandoned structure on its premises.
Additionally, the Cape Town city government’s social media account shared an update on Friday morning, noting the evacuation of approximately 97 households in a nearby neighbourhood on Thursday night. “As of now, no further evacuations are deemed necessary, but we’re closely monitoring the situation.”
Wildfires are not uncommon in the mountainous areas around Cape Town during the hot, dry months from November to April, especially when propelled by strong coastal winds, making them hazardous and unpredictable.
