The City of Cape Town plans to carry out an ecological burn at Blaauwberg Nature Reserve sometime from February to April.
The date depends on weather conditions, according to the City.
The 40ha burn is planned for the eastern slope, on the Blaauwberg Hill side of the reserve and will be managed by nature reserve staff and City firefighters.
According to the City, fire breaks have been maintained and widened, where necessary, and firefighting equipment checked.
The reserve will be closed to the public on the day of the burn, and surrounding residents should keep their windows shut, remove gas canisters and other flammable items from outside and take washing off the line.
Fire is vital to the life cycle of the reserve’s endangered Swartland Shale Renosterveld and Cape Flats sand fynbos.
The City says clearing a canopy of old vegetation lets sunlight reach ground level to help seeds germinate. It also prevents
wild fires.
Comments or objections related to the application for the burn should be sent to Bronwyn.Davidson@capetown.gov.za Contact the reserve at 021 444 0454 or Blaauwberg.NatureReserve@capetown.gov.za for more information about the controlled burn.
