As raging wildfires ravage the eastern side of Table Mountain, South Africans are rallying together to try to help the frontline firefighters and anyone impacted by the blaze!
Western Cape, South Africa (18 April 2021) – Raging wildfires on Table Mountain have destroyed part of the Rhodes Memorial Restaurant and Tea Garden while hikers have been asked to avoid the area completely, and University of Cape Town students are being evacuated off the campus.
The City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said that at around 8:45 am on Sunday morning, the City’s Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to a vegetation fire above Philip Kgosana Drive.
“Fire crews were immediately dispatched to the scene, with the fire currently spreading from Rhodes Memorial toward the University of Cape Town. A section of the tea room at Rhodes Memorial has been destroyed, and people are urged not to enter the area. More resources are currently on their way to assist firefighting efforts. These include teams from Working on Fire and Table Mountain National Park. Three choppers are also water bombing the area.”
But the raging wildfire is not slowing down and was still out of control at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon.
Anton Bredell, the minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, says the situation is currently serious with the wildfire spreading towards sections of the University of Cape Town (UCT) upper campus.
“The raging wildfire is on the slopes of Table mountain and remains out of control at the moment. Sections of the M3 has been closed to traffic. Sanparks has urged all hikers within the Newlands and Rhodes Memorial areas to evacuate the mountain with immediate effect.”
Residents of the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town are advised to take note of the heavy smoke and soot in the area and to seek medical attention if breathing becomes difficult. Firefighting resources were deployed early this morning to tackle the fire.
Oh no! UCT 🥺🥺🥺#CapeTownFire pic.twitter.com/XlBSaEYS9N
— Ricardo Mackenzie (@ricardomackenzi) April 18, 2021
The resources include multiple aircraft including three helicopters doing water bombings with a spotter plane in support.
“The public is urged to avoid the area and allow the authorities to do their work. The wind is slowly picking up which is a cause for concern. The City of Cape Town fire fighting service, as well as teams from Sanparks and Working on Fire, are on the scene already.”
Bredell says the authorities on the ground will inform all members of the public immediately should the situation get more serious.
Residents in the vicinity of the fire are advised to take some precautionary steps including:
- Remain Hydrated.
- Keep windows and doors closed until further notice as protection against smoke and heat.
- Keep pets indoors where possible.
- Move garden furniture that is flammable under cover where possible.
- If the situation gets worse, residents will be alerted timeously.
Many South Africans have taken to social media to share messages of support and suggestions on how to assist the frontline firefighters and anyone impacted by the blaze. We have condensed the list and made it easier for you to extend a helping hand from anywhere in the country.
Here is a list of things you can do today and long after this tragedy has passed to help your fellow South Africans:
- Stay away from the scene. Get off the roads and give frontline workers the space to do their jobs!
- Donate food, energy bars, cool drinks, water and eye drops to your local fire station – this is one of the easiest ways to assist our frontline firefighters!
- Donate warm clothing and blankets to your local shelter for the homeless.
- Donate warm blankets, food, old dog or cat beds and kennels to animal rescue centres and shelters.
- Cook a warm pot of soup and hand it out to people less fortunate.
- Provide shelter and food to displaced families or students.
- Pay for a bed at a homeless shelter so someone can stay warm for the night.
- If you spot a person without shelter, call 107 or 0800 87 22 01, as per Love Cape Town.
- Donate old furniture and building materials so that those that have lost their homes can rebuild after the devastation.
- Help neighbours secure items from the fires.
- Take lost animals to local vets or shelters, or keep them safe in your own home.
- Donate directly to an impacted person on Backabuddy, Quicket Charity or For Good – these campaigns are usually created within hours of a tragedy and can be found by using the search function on the platforms.
This is a list of non-profits working with the Disaster Management teams to offer help wherever possible!
Here is a list of community-based non-government, non-profit’s and other organisations working within communities.
- Check with your local Round Table or Rotary clubs in your area (just google Rotary Club and then your area to find the nearest branch) – most collect food and blankets in times of need.
In the event of an emergency please contact:
- City of Cape Town Emergency Services Landline: 021 480 7700 Cell phone: 107
- Provincial Emergency Number – 112
If you have any more information, please list it in the comments section, and we will update the list accordingly. We will try to stay on top of it all!
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