A Helicopter was deployed on Monday afternoon to assist more than 50 firefighters in battling a persistent wildfire near the Pipe Track in Camps Bay, as powerful winds fanned the flames down the slopes of the 12 Apostles mountain range.
The fire, which ignited near Hely Hutchinson Avenue, has produced thick clouds of smoke visible across the Atlantic Seaboard. While no evacuations have been ordered, emergency services remain on high alert as gusty conditions continue to pose a risk of flare-ups.
The deployment of the helicopter, which arrived from George, was a turning point in the containment efforts. The aerial support allowed fire crews to directly access hotspots inaccessible by ground teams due to the rugged terrain and dense fynbos vegetation that characterises the area.
“The helicopter has played a crucial role in water bombing sections of the fire that firefighters on foot couldn’t safely reach,” said a City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson.
The aerial response is part of a broader, coordinated effort between ground teams, disaster management officials, and Table Mountain National Park authorities to contain the blaze before it spreads further.
The fire broke out early in the day and quickly spread along the hillside due to dry vegetation and strong winds, prompting an immediate response from firefighting units based in Cape Town’s southern suburbs.
Helicopter Support Critical as Fire Crews Battle Blaze
Hely Hutchinson Drive, the closest access road to the fire zone, has been closed to the public as a precautionary measure. While other major roads in Camps Bay remain open, authorities have advised motorists to avoid the area due to limited visibility and the movement of emergency vehicles.
In addition, multiple hiking trails, including sections of the popular Pipe Track and trails leading up to Kasteelspoort, have been temporarily closed. These closures are aimed at keeping hikers and recreational users safe while allowing firefighters unrestricted access to critical points along the mountain slope.
“We urge all trail users to stay away from the area until we’ve declared it safe. The fire is currently under control, but wind conditions can change that quickly,” said a Table Mountain National Park ranger.
Despite the intensity of the smoke and the proximity of the fire to residential areas, no evacuation orders have been issued. Residents in the area told EWN that they’ve been kept informed by officials and that, so far, they have not been advised to leave their homes.
“We’re monitoring the situation closely, but we’ve been told the fire is being managed and that there’s no immediate threat,” said one Camps Bay resident.
Fire officials confirmed that no homes or structures are currently under threat, though that could change if wind direction shifts or if flare-ups occur during the night.
The fire near Camps Bay comes at the start of Cape Town’s annual wildfire season, which typically begins in the spring and intensifies during the dry summer months. Strong winds, rising temperatures, and dry vegetation create ideal conditions for wildfires to ignite and spread rapidly across the mountainous terrain of the Cape Peninsula.
This latest fire is a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to seasonal wildfires, and it highlights the importance of quick response and aerial support. The use of helicopters in fire management has become increasingly critical in the Western Cape, where access to remote or elevated terrain can be challenging.
“Helicopters allow us to attack fires from above and slow the spread until ground crews can establish control lines,” said a wildfire operations coordinator working on the Camps Bay incident.
Authorities have confirmed that firefighting operations will continue overnight, with teams rotating in shifts to monitor and extinguish any remaining hotspots. The helicopter support may resume in the early morning if required, depending on weather conditions and visibility.
Local residents are encouraged to keep windows closed to limit smoke inhalation and to stay updated via official city communication channels and local news platforms.
With more than 50 firefighters and a helicopter working in unison, the Camps Bay fire is currently under control, but the situation remains dynamic due to unpredictable wind conditions. The swift deployment of aerial support has made a significant impact in containing the fire, underscoring the vital role helicopters play in wildfire response across the Western Cape.
Source- EWN
