Two fires broke out on the slopes of South Africa's iconic Table Mountain, prompting a swift response from over 100 firefighters on Wednesday. The fires posed a threat to nearby Cape Town, but efforts to contain them have shown promising results, according to South African National Parks.
The management team deployed 115 firefighters, four helicopters, and two planes to combat the blazes, leading to what they described as 'significant progress' in controlling the situation.
The fires, which have been burning since at least Sunday, have not impacted a meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors from Group of 20 countries currently taking place in Cape Town. Despite the proximity of the fires, there is no danger to the gathering.
It is not uncommon for fires to occur in the Cape Town region during the hot and dry summer months between December and April, especially when fueled by strong coastal winds.
A previous fire on Table Mountain in 2021 was particularly devastating, destroying historic buildings at the University of Cape Town and necessitating evacuations of nearby neighborhoods.
Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries in the current fires. National Parks has announced that firefighters will remain on the mountain throughout the night to prevent any potential flare-ups, especially if the wind intensifies.
These incidents serve as a reminder of the challenges posed by wildfires in the region and the importance of swift and coordinated responses to protect both the natural environment and local communities.
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