Fire currently spreading above Kirstenbosch was caused by a massive rockfall
SANParks has confirmed that the fire raging above Kirstenbosch was started by natural causes – a massive rockfall which generated enough heat and sparks to set the mountain on fire.
The fire seemed to be under control last night, but has since flared up. It has burnt through the lush, forested hiking areas from Skeleton Gorge to Nursery Ravine, and continues to spread left and right along the mountain.
Rob Erasmus from Enviro Wildfire Services Western Cape launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, which started halfway up Skeleton Gorge on Monday afternoon and was still raging into Tuesday afternoon.
“We can confirm on behalf of SANParks that the cause of this fire was as a result of a massive rock fall that caused huge amounts of heat and sparks to be generated when the falling boulders struck other rocks, setting the grass and leaves alight which then quickly spread up the steep slope,” Enviro Wildfire Services posted on Facebook.
Source: capetownetc.com