Table Mountain National Park: Re-opening of burnt areas

Certain burnt areas in the Table Mountain National Park which have been closed off to the public since a fire have been re-opened, the South African National Park (SANParks) said. 

BLAZING FIRE STARTED IN THE PARK EARLIER THIS YEAR

This comes after the fire that started in the Rhodes Memorial area in April this year. 

“The rehabilitation work started immediately after the fire with attention given to both restoring access as well as the natural elements. 

“Now, three months after the fire, fynbos recovery is showing great progress and mountain lovers can once again look forward to their favourite hikes and to see the wonders of fynbos,” said Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) Park Manager Frans van Rooyen. 

ALSO READ: Table Mountain fire: Major roads closed as blaze rips through Cape Town

He said the recovery of fynbos had been closely monitored by several scientists, studying the return of plants and animals after the fire. 

Re-opened entry points include:

• Quarries
• Contour Path at Round Table Newlands Ravine
• Dead Man’s Tree
• Devil’s Peak Lower Slopes
• King’s Blockhouse
• Devil’s Peak footpaths and Peak 

Van Rooyen confirmed that more work is currently in progress and SANParks has appointed a contractor that is currently cutting trees.

THESE AREAS REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE: 

The following areas remain closed until further notice as there are still dangerous trees that needs to be cut: 

• Rhodes Memorial/Estate
• Deer Park
• Game Camp

According to Van Rooyen the management of the park has therefore been advised to open the burnt area in a phased approach, where veld recovery and footpath rebuilding have shown good progress. 

ALSO READ: Police investigating death on Table Mountain National Park trail

“Teams have been hard at work implementing rehabilitation plans to allow for the re-opening of certain areas and we request users and visitors to these areas to continue exercising patience and allow the rehabilitation work to proceed without any obstructions.”  

Permitted recreational activities in the re-opened areas will continue as before, including hiking and dog walking with people kindly requested to remain on demarcated footpaths and to be mindful of rules pertaining to keeping dogs under control. Re-opened park areas following the fires include:

– Quarries

– Devil’s Peak

– King’s Blockhouse

– Devil’s Peak Lower Slopes

– Rhodes Contour Path

Van Rooyen also added that SANParks has decided to allow members of the public to collect pinewood once the cutting is done. 

If anyone is interested in collecting pine wood, they must contact the Kloofnek office on 021 422 1601 or email Munzhedzi.muhanelwa@sanparks.org to make necessary arrangements. 

“We won’t allow anyone to collect wood without making proper arrangements to do so beforehand. 

“We plead for more patience and ask that users assist us by remaining out of the closed areas while Mother Nature heals herself.”