A conflagration ignited on the slopes of Simon's Town mountain on Tuesday morning, propelled by a gentle southeasterly breeze. Over 60 firefighters, comprising teams from the City of Cape Town, Table Mountain National Park, NCC, and Volunteer Wildfire Services, engaged in a concerted battle against the inferno. The firefighting contingent utilized four helicopters and a reconnaissance plane in their efforts.

The flames posed a direct threat to the SA Navy ammunition depot located above Simon's Town, prompting the evacuation of approximately 500 residents from Simonskloof and Harbour Heights around 1 am on Wednesday. The toll on firefighting personnel was not negligible, with five sustaining injuries, leading to the hospitalization of two individuals. Notably, the extent of structural damage was limited to a lone dilapidated building within the confines of the SA Navy grounds.

Security measures were enacted swiftly, as the primary thoroughfare into Simon's Town was sealed off to vehicular traffic, exclusively permitting access to residents. Vigorous attempts to subdue the conflagration persisted into Wednesday, marked by the deployment of three helicopters engaged in precision water-bombing.

Amid the crisis, animal welfare organizations stood on standby to address potential harm to wildlife, with a particular emphasis on the well-being of baboon troops dwelling in the affected zones. Concurrently, reports emerged of 25 additional wildfires in the Cape Winelands, including one proximate to Franschhoek at the Berg River Dam.

Fires are a seasonal hazard, and this time the Western Cape authorities are more prepared. The Western Cape anticipates a challenging 2023-24 fire season due to human negligence, rising temperatures, and hot, dry, and windy summer conditions, leading to more intense and frequent fires in unconventional areas.

The Cape has had seasonal fires since time immemorial, and in pre-settlement times, enormous fires would rage eastward across the entire southern swathe of South Africa every 20-30 years. Local flora is well-adapted to these conditions, and many species, including proteas, cannot reproduce without fire.

This year's fire season commenced with a fire in Peck's Valley above Muizenberg, which burnt about 60-100 hectares of brushland.

About 97% of fires in the region result from human influence, either intentional or negligent, with suspicions pointing to a church group the recent fire in Peck's Valley. African Zionist Christians (not to be confused with the local Zionist Christian Church) tend to worship in the open air, and often light fires as part of their gatherings.

South Africa faces its hottest summer, heightening the severity of the upcoming fire season, following an unprecedented winter flood season with record fires. These floods and fires have made incursions into breadbasket areas, impacting the economy and agriculture. Recent wet winter in the Western Cape reduces the initial risk of extreme wildfires for the upcoming season, but as the region dries out, sparks carry further.

South African firefighters, largely due to our experience with seasonal fires, assisted Canada with their wildfires this past year.

The Western Cape government allocated a budget of R16 million for wildfire responses, an increase from the previous year, augmenting the capacity of the approximately 2,300 firefighters, both professional and contracted, who are equipped with aerial and ground support in place, including helicopters and fire-bombing planes.

Fire prevention strategies involve controlled burning in summer, fuel reduction burns in winter, and the creation of firebreaks.

Homeowners are advised to create defensible spaces, trim vegetation, secure gas bottles, and have accessible fire extinguishers to enhance fire safety.

‍