South Africa: Table Mountain Fire Forces Mass Evacuations

Cape Town — At least 190 households were evacuated from fire-threatened neighbourhoods in Cape Town as crews battled at least five active fire lines in the city's South Peninsula, reports EWN. Fire teams were deployed from the Garden Route to help combat the mountain fire, which was fanned by strong winds. The night sky exposed the extent of the fiery necklace stretched across the Table Mountain National Park.

Ward councillor Carolynne Franklin described the situation as "Armageddon," with over 100 firefighters tackling five fire fronts, and evacuations ordered in Steenberg Estate, Zwaanswyk, and Noordhoek Manor. Much of the fire burned in mountainous terrain inaccessible to ground crews, while emergency personnel struggled to clear paths for responders. Traffic officers are directing traffic as Main Road, Kalk Bay, and Chapman's Peak remain open, while the following roads were closed this morning: - Zwaanswyk Road closed at Tokai Road - Ou Kaapse Weg - Boyes Drive.