SANParks, CoCT say teams ready to respond to any fires in region

It’s been a week since three separate fires broke out across Cape Town, raising concerns that the fire season may be starting earlier than expected.

Two of the fires started last Monday - one damaged the top three floors of a building in the CBD, and another broke out in Camps Bay.

A third blaze followed a day later, in Deer Park, along the slopes of Table Mountain.

Cape Town’s fire season typically runs from November to May, when dry, windy weather creates ideal conditions for wildfires.

SANParks spokesperson Charles Phahlane said their teams were fully prepared to respond.

"We have both ground teams and water tankers that are available 24/7 with aerial support if needed. We have a dedicated chopper over the fire period, but we can call in assistance as we demonstrated in the two most recent fires in Camps Bay and Deer Park."

The City of Cape Town’s fire and rescue spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, said its fire services were also equipped and ready to respond across all regions.

"We have 32 fire stations across the city, covering the far ends from Strand on the one side, Kommetjie in the deep south, we've got Sea Point on the one side, and then obviously Atlantis fire on the far north side."