Boyes Drive closed to traffic as firefighters battle Muizenberg mountain fire
The fire is presently burning in the direction of Kalk Bay and St James.
Boyes Drive is closed to the public until further notice.
Boyes Drive in Muizenberg has been closed to traffic following a fire that broke out on the mountain slopes above it on Sunday morning.
The fire broke out at about 08:30, and a call for assistance was made to the City of Cape Town's Fire and Rescue Services Department.
According to Fire and Rescue spokesperson Jermaine Carelse, several resources were dispatched to the scene as well as the Incident Management Teams (IMT) to coordinate operational functions.
'The right flank was quickly secured. However, the concern is the left flank that is slowly spreading towards Kalk Bay,' Carelse said.
He added that they are being assisted by Table Mountain National Parks (TMNP) and Volunteer Wildfire Services in efforts to get the fire under control.
READ | Cape Town blaze: Wildfire still raging as animal welfare inundated with cases
'At this stage, we cannot give a definitive answer as to how long it will take to extinguish the blaze,' Carelse added.
Volunteer Wildfire Services said that authorities have cautioned residents and visitors to steer clear of the area as containment efforts intensify.
'Emergency services are currently at the scene, mobilising multiple resources to combat the blaze that threatens to extend along the verdant hillsides surrounding this popular route,' the organisation added.
Supplied by SANParks
The Table Mountain National Park warned motorists to avoid Boyes Drive as far as possible and allow emergency cars to pass.
SANParks head of communications JP Louw said in a statement that all available resources are being deployed in active suppression efforts, with a primary focus on keeping the fire above Boyes Drive.
He added:
The fire is presently burning along the left flank in the direction of Kalk Bay and St James. As of now, the fire is approximately 90% contained, thanks to the coordinated efforts of all firefighting teams on the ground.
SANParks said Boyes Drive will be closed to the public until further notice to ensure public safety and facilitate firefighting operations.
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