As part of its biodiversity burn programme, Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) is burning fuel reduction in a number of park areas. These fuel reduction burns, also referred to as stack burning, will occur from July to September provided the weather is suitable, that is, temperatures below 25°C, moderate winds of no more than 20 km/h, and two to three days following a light rainstorm.
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While some locals may be concerned about fires during this time of year, it is crucial to remember that wildfires can happen if the areas they are targeted are neglected. Unattended areas can be extremely dangerous for life and property on the urban edge in the event of an uncontrolled fire or wildfire. By using fuel reduction burns to remove dry flammable material, the risks associated with uncontrolled wildfires in the future will be decreased.
Because fynbos vegetation is both fire-prone and fire-adapted, using fire is a crucial component of the park’s ecological management. Every year in the cold winter months, TMNP conducts fuel reduction burns to get rid of stacked biomass left over from invasive plant clearance projects. The areas with the highest risk are evaluated and designated for burning during this time.
The reasons for conducting prescribed and stack burns in fynbos vegetation are to reduce fire hazards by reducing the unnecessary ‘fuel’ accumulated in field as a result of alien plants and to form an essential part of control operations aimed at eliminating invasive alien plants.
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Weather-permitting, TMNP is planning to undertake prescribed burning at:
- Cape Point
- Tokai Plantation and upper levels
- Cecilia (Close to Kirstenbosch)
- Newlands
- Schotekloof (Cape Town)
- Sea Point Gum Belt
- Rhodes Memorial
The park management will make every effort to minimise any potential inconvenience to households during the preparation work and burning operations, so residents in the surrounding areas of the park should feel secure in that knowledge. The park management will make every effort to minimise any potential inconvenience to households during the preparation work and burning operations, so residents in the surrounding areas of the park should feel secure in that knowledge.
When the burn occurs, surrounding residents are advised to keep their windows shut while burning takes place. Flammable items such as gas canisters should be removed from outside areas and laundry should be taken off washing lines to prevent odour contamination from the smoke.
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Picture: SANParks – Table Mountain National Park/Facebook