| City advises of ecological burns scheduled for March | City advises of ecological burns scheduled for March | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/City%20news.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <p>The City of Cape Town’s Biodiversity Management Branch staff and partners will be conducting ecological burns at the Tygerberg; Westlake and Blaauwberg nature reserves in March. If weather conditions are favourable, these ecological burns will commence this week between 2-4 March 2026. Ecological burns are vital to the ecological functioning and preservation of natural vegetation as well as reducing fire risk. Read more below:<br></p> | <p>Carefully managed burns are necessary to maintain maximum species diversity. There are numerous benefits to burns. For example, by removing the canopy created by the mature vegetation, sunlight is allowed to reach the ground, which helps with seed germination.</p><p>The City of Cape Town would like to inform residents located around the erven and the broader community of the below prescribed ecological burns, which have been scheduled for the first week of March 2026. If the weather conditions are unfavourable then the burn will be postponed and communicated accordingly.</p><p><strong>Monday 2 March – Blaauwberg Nature Reserve</strong></p><ul><li>The contained area of approximately 10 hectares to the East of Blaauwberg Hill, located within the boundaries of the Blaauwberg Hill Section between the R27 and Zonnekus Road.</li><li>The objective of this burn is to stimulate the rejuvenation of very old Cape Flats sand Fynbos.</li></ul><p><strong>Tuesday 3 March – Westlake Conservation Centre</strong></p><ul><li>A 2,11 ha in size, located within the boundaries of Westlake Conservation Centre: Erf 12534, between Steenberg Road and Oukaapseweg, Tokai. </li><li>The vegetation types at this conservation site are critically endangered, namely Peninsula granite fynbos and Cape Flats sand fynbos. Fynbos needs to burn every 12 – 15 years in order to remove ageing vegetation and reduce the risk of runaway fires as well as to stimulate the germination of soil-stored seeds, preventing local extinction of plant species. This burn forms part of the overall ecological restoration plan for this area.</li></ul><p><strong>Wednesday 4 March – Tygerberg Nature Reserve</strong></p><ul><li>A contained area of approximately 33 ha in size on erf 21530 located on the western slope of the Tygerberg Nature Reserve (near to Plattekloof)</li><li>The reserve contains endangered Swartland Shale Renosterveld, which requires fire every 7–10 years (in some areas 12–20 years) to remove ageing vegetation; reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires and stimulate the germination of soil stored seeds. This burn forms part of the overall ecological restoration plan for this area.</li><li>The Tygerberg Nature Reserve will be closed to the public during the scheduled ecological burn.</li></ul><p>‘Residents can be assured that burning permits for these fires have been successfully obtained from both the City of Cape Town Air Quality Management and the Fire and Rescue Services department. The prescribed ecological burns will be carried out at the Westlake Conservation Centre, Tygerberg and Blaauwberg Nature Reserves this week, if weather conditions are favourable. Qualified and experienced firefighters from the Biodiversity Management Branch, along with supporting agencies, will conduct the operation and all necessary fire fighting vehicles, equipment and safety measures are in place to ensure the burns are carried out safely and responsibly,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.</p><p>The burning will only take place if the weather conditions are ideal and will not take place on Fridays, public holidays or weekends. The burn activity will be completed within one day, with no further ignition beyond 14:00.</p><p>The City of Cape Town urges homeowners whose properties border the relevant erven to cut back all vegetation along their fence lines. This is a legal requirement in terms of the National Veld and Forest Fire Act, 1998 (Chapter 4: Veld Fire).</p><p>Neighbouring residents are also to ensure that all windows and doors are kept closed while the burn is under way, to prevent smoke from entering buildings. Hanging out laundry and washing of vehicles etc. should similarly be avoided on the day of the burn due to the presence of smoke in the air and possible ash residues.<br> <br>For more information, contact <a href="mailto:Biodiversity@capetown.gov.za">Biodiversity@capetown.gov.za</a>.</p><p>To report a wildfire, please contact the City’s Fire and Rescue and Emergency Services on <a>107</a> from a landline and <a>021 480 7700</a> from a cellphone. </p> | 2026-02-28T22:00:00Z | GP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891d | | | | | GP0|#543f34cd-a73f-424e-8f54-07e94c2825b4;L0|#0543f34cd-a73f-424e-8f54-07e94c2825b4|Ecological burn;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | 0 |
