SANDF called in to help fight Cape Town mountain fire

Authorities say that as soon as the weather permits, the SA Air Force will step in.

CAPE TOWN, April 19 (ANA) – The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has been deployed to assist firefighters in containing the mountain fire in Cape Town.

In a statement released on his social media page on Monday, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said the SANDF will be availing its air resources, which are on standby for assisting with the fire.

The MEC for local government, environmental affairs and development planning in the province, Anton Bredell, said the SANDF was activated on Monday morning, according to Winde.

Bredell said the wind was currently too strong and it was unsafe to have helicopters in the air.

But, he added, as soon as the weather permits, the SA Air Force will step in.

“The Oryx can carry a water payload of 2,000 litres per drop. We welcome the SAAF support as always,” Bredell said.

Firefighters from the City of Cape Town, Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), Working on Fire and Volunteer Wildlife Services continue to battle the fire, which is accelerating with strong gale-force winds.

“We want to urge the public to work with the authorities and obey all instructions. In addition, reports of people trying to access the mountain at various points for recreational purposes is concerning. People are asked to avoid the Table Mountain area while the fire remains ongoing,” Bredell added.

Spokesperson for SANParks, Rey Thakhuli, said over 400 hectares of land and growth has been damaged by the fire.

The City of Cape Town has indicated that eight structures have been destroyed in the fire, of which four are located on the campus of the University of Cape Town (UCT).

The fire broke out on Sunday morning.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher