2023-12-22 14:20:10
Published22. December 2023, 3:20 p.m.
South Africa: In peak tourist season, two forest fires rage near Cape Town
The fire has already ravaged more than 1,150 hectares since Tuesday and forced 300 people to evacuate. Access to the Cape of Good Hope had to be closed.
The fire has set the nature surrounding some houses ablaze, such as here above Simon’s Town, but the authorities assure that no homes are yet threatened.
AFP
Two fires raged on Friday around Cape Town, having already forced the evacuation of 300 people and ravaged more than 1,150 hectares since Tuesday, we learned from the firefighters and the South African city. December marks the start of the summer holidays, when many South Africans flock to the region and its spectacular landscapes and beaches. Thousands of foreign tourists are also expected there.
The first fire broke out on Tuesday morning near Simon’s Town, about forty kilometers south of Cape Town. A second one occurred Thursday afternoon a few km further north. Access to the Cape of Good Hope, at the southern tip of the continent, was closed Friday morning, announced SANParks, the national parks organization.
Many reptiles were decimated by the flames
“It’s the heart of the southern summer,” noted Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the fire services. “A dry, windy and hot season, ideal for forest fires.” Strong winds continue to spread the flames but “no house is threatened” currently, reassured Charlotte Powell, spokesperson for the city of Cape Town.
Some 130 firefighters from the city are mobilized, supported by five helicopters and two bomber planes, to put out the fires on the peninsula south of the port city. Reinforcements came from neighboring towns.
Wildlife is not spared, underlines the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, many animals having been decimated by the fire, notably snakes and lizards. “The vast majority of animals found are dead, it’s sad,” said Belinda Abraham, its spokesperson.
Fires are frequent in this region, between December and April, underlines the spokesperson for the firefighters. In April 2021, a spectacular fire ravaged the iconic Table Mountain, which overlooks the city of Cape Town, and partially destroyed its university.
(AFP)
1703259140
#South #Africa #peak #tourist #season #forest #fires #rage #Cape #Town