At roughly 11am this morning, February 3, the City’s Fire and Rescue Service received reports of a vegetation fire along the M5 near Youngsfield Military Base.
There are currently seven firefighting appliances on scene to attempt to contain the blaze as well as two sets of seasonal firefighters. A total of 52 staff members are on scene.
The fire has not yet been contained and smoke from the blaze is bellowing into nearby areas, including Newlands, Rhodes Memorial and the CBD.
Congestion is to be expected in the Wynberg, Plumstead and Ottery areas while firefighters battle the blaze. The M5, however, has been reopened both ways.
Massive fire causing chaos on the M5 south bound before Ottery Road. pic.twitter.com/FS31C0wOar
— Wesley Fester (@wesleyfestersa) February 3, 2020
#fire on the M5 has #CapeTown covered in #smoke #capetownfire pic.twitter.com/BBhq8qni6x
— Nicholas Jon D (@nicholasdilley) February 3, 2020
@CapeTalk M5 closed between Claremont & Wynberg due to massive veld fire at Youngsfield military base. pic.twitter.com/HCgfx4i59e
— Cape Honey Bee (@BeesSouthAfrica) February 3, 2020
Delays on M5 towards Muizenberg. Fire on side of road just after Access Park. pic.twitter.com/ypNp6DJ3zw
— Garth Breytenbach (@poormanscaviar) February 3, 2020
Picture: Twitter