The City of Cape Town says arson is suspected in a wildfire that broke out in Table Mountain National Park near Devil’s Peak off Phillip Kgosana Drive on Monday.
Firefighting teams, supported by helicopters, were deployed to water bomb three separate hotspots on the mountain slopes as crews worked to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading.
JP Smith, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, said the incident forms part of a troubling trend of suspected deliberate fires in recent months.
Smith said the municipality has recorded a surge in suspected arson cases, with 194 dockets opened over the past three months alone. He added there is growing evidence that criminal elements may be intentionally starting fires to cause widespread damage.
Despite the scale of Monday’s blaze, no injuries or property damage have been reported.
Authorities continue to monitor the area and have urged residents to report any suspicious activity as investigations into the cause of the fire continue.