Residents Evacuated Due to Fire on Table Mountain

Authorities in Cape Town are working tirelessly to contain several fires burning across the slopes of Table Mountain, as police investigate suspected arson.

The fires were first detected last Friday by Table Mountain National Park, which reported that three separate blazes may have been deliberately ignited. One person has been arrested in connection with the incident, police confirmed.

While the fires are now partially under control, strong coastal winds continue to pose a risk of flare-ups, making conditions unpredictable and containment efforts challenging.

City official JP Smith confirmed that, fortunately, no injuries have been reported and no private homes have been lost. However, four vehicles and a motorcycle were destroyed in a car park, and several others were damaged.

As a precaution, nearly 200 people—including residents of local nursing homes—were evacuated from the city’s southern suburbs on Sunday, though they have since returned. Roads and hiking trails in the area have been closed to the public.

Fires are not uncommon on Table Mountain during South Africa’s hot, dry season, which runs from November to April.

This latest outbreak has scorched an estimated 3,000 hectares of vegetation, primarily on the mountain’s rear slopes, away from the iconic flat-topped summit that overlooks central Cape Town.

Approximately 250 firefighters have been deployed, with crews making significant progress overnight. Drones equipped with thermal imaging technology were used to track the movement of the fires and aid in the firefighting effort.

Authorities remain on high alert as crews continue their efforts to fully extinguish the fires and prevent further damage.