Firefighters are working to douse a fire on Table Mountain which started on Friday night but has since spread near to the iconic cable car.
According to officials, the blaze erupted at around 8pm on the Kasteelspoort side of Table Mountain, in Fountain Ravine.
By Saturday morning plumes of smoke could be seen billowing from the mountain top as a helicopter water bombed parts of the fire.
Table Mountain National Park’s fire manager, Philip Prins said the fire spread since Friday night.
Prins said the fire has burnt up the steep slopes of the mountain.
He added: "We have approximately 30 firefighters from NCC Wildfires and Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) that are on scene."
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway has suspended their services.
“The fire has spread towards the top section of the cableway area and crews from Table Mountain National Park and the City of Cape Fire and Rescue Services remain on scene to mitigate the spread of the fire where accessible.
“The fire along the western slopes, below the cable station, is still inaccessible to ground crews.
“The cause of the fire is not known and we will inform the public timeously on the way forward," he said.
The park confirmed that a chopper from the fire management programme, Working on Fire, would operate in the area from noon.
Fresh ground crews from a specialised wildfire group, NCC Wildfires, have also been dispatched and carted up with the cable car. Another request for additional support from the Volunteer Wildfire Services was submitted by 8am on Saturday.
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company’s managing director, Wahida Parker said all operations are on alert.
“We are offering fire fighting teams any logistical support they may require, including transporting them to the top of the mountain.
“We ask that members of the public exercise caution, and monitor social media channels for operational updates. We also ask that they cooperate with any requests from firefighting crews that have been deployed,” she said.