South African firefighters faced a challenging task on Friday, as they battled two significant wildfires near Cape Town. These blazes have led to the evacuation of numerous families and the closure of one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, the Cape of Good Hope.
The summer winds, known for their intensity, are exacerbating the situation by driving the flames towards resorts in the Cape Town area. This comes at a time when the city is gearing up to welcome a large influx of visitors for the end-of-year holidays.
Efforts to contain the fires are ongoing, with two planes and five helicopters deployed to drop water on the hill fires. According to authorities, these wildfires have already devastated over 12 square kilometres (five square miles) of land.
One of the fires, located around Simon’s Town, approximately 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of Cape Town, has been raging uncontrollably since Tuesday. Simon’s Town is notably home to South Africa’s largest naval base. The second fire has taken hold in the hills around nearby Glencairn, prompting the evacuation of 97 families, a Cape Town city spokesperson informed AFP.
Both fires are within the Cape Town metropolitan region, affecting the communities that lie on the roads leading to the Cape of Good Hope.
In response to the blazes, around 300 homes have been evacuated. Fortunately, many families have been able to return to their homes since the initial evacuations.
According to a report by The Guardian, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has actively engaged in rescuing animals, both in the wild and those left in homes. “The rescue team has found many animals in good health, but the vast majority have been found dead, which is very sad,” said Belinda Abraham, a spokesperson for the society. Most of the casualties are lizards and snakes.
Cape Town, increasingly affected by climate change and rising temperatures, has experienced a surge in summer wildfires in recent years. These latest fires pose a significant challenge to the region, especially as it prepares for the busy holiday season.
