Table Mountain Walks

Fire on Devil’s Peak

I have received some inquiries about the fire two weeks ago and the effect it might have had on Table Mountain.  Well - the answer is none.  The fire started below Rhodes Memorial on the lower slopes of Devils Peak and spread upwards and also across to the Table Mountain side of the peak.  Table Mountain itself was not burnt at all.   Unfortunately two people died in the fire - they were sleeping on the slopes and despite the brave efforts of fire fighters the burns they received were too extensive.

In a previous article I wrote about the role that fire plays in the ecology of fynbos and it seems as if the debate continues between the ecologists and the authorities regarding how this type of fire should be handled. However when faced with the prospect of loss of human life and property surely there can be no debate and there is no alternative but to fight it.