Update, 5.17pm: Sir Lowry’s Pass has been reopened to traffic closed once again.
Cape Town – N2 Route: #SirLowrysPass (Update): ROAD CLOSED again over the pass – HEAVY QUEUES on the alternative R44 route via Rooiels
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— Rob Beezy (@TrafficSA) November 7, 2017
At least four houses have also been set alight by the blaze.
First houses in Mountainside going up in smoke. Not good with wind gusting at 72kph. pic.twitter.com/OWP9elRpb9
— Gordons Bay, SA (@GordonsBaySA) November 7, 2017
Four homes destroyed by #SirLowrysPassFire, says @CityofCT. Fire ranges from N2 to Streenbras mouth. No injuries. Fire fanned by strong wind pic.twitter.com/KM2hCw3yfr
— Cape Argus (@TheCapeArgus) November 7, 2017
Original article: A wildfire burning along Sir Lowry’s Pass east of Cape Town is clouding the city in a thick blanket of smoke.
The fire, which is currently being addressed by Working On Fire, Cape Nature and other firefighting agencies, was first noted around 1pm SAST.
N2 closed between Sir Lowry’s Pass Rd & Botrivier due to “extensive” veld blaze#SirLowrysPass@clarenceford1 @Heart1049FM @HeartFMNews pic.twitter.com/EcEtgIFgSf
— Graeme Raubenheimer (@GraemeRauby) November 7, 2017
The smoke, due to the southeasterly wind, has since blown across the city centre, clouding the CBD, Atlantic seaboard and southern suburbs.
Ash is also falling in parts of the city.
Users soon took to Twitter to query the smoke’s source and to publish pictures of the smoke from their location.
Air in Camps Bay smells of smoke & cloud cover looks dodgy. @vwsfires, is there another #fire in #CapeTown? pic.twitter.com/GMwwpkYyAz
— Clouds Drummond (@cloudsdrummond) November 7, 2017
Anyone know where all this smoke in #CapeTown cbd is coming from? Where’s the fire?
— Nicola Wade (@Nixiljuice) November 7, 2017
Sky has turned a weird greyish orange colour,could be the smoke from the N2 fire…or its the end of the world #notsure #firealert #CapeTown
— Dylan Graham (@TheDylanGraham) November 7, 2017
Smoke from Sir Lowry’s pass hanging in the air- producing quite an eery glow. pic.twitter.com/ppqULNqpDz
— Bryan (@bryansmithSA) November 7, 2017
Pictures of the fire itself however is being communicated using #SirLowrysPassFire on Twitter.
#SirLowrysPass is closed due to a veldfire. The N2 is closed at Botriver & the GB turnoff. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes pic.twitter.com/oxWOyh4oos
— Voice of the Cape (@VOCfm) November 7, 2017
Photo of the #SirLowrysFire #GBFire #SLPFire seen from Somerset West thanks to members of SOTERIA. photo cred: Neil Slater pic.twitter.com/RDW98RUXji
— Safe Freeway Project (@SafeN2Project) November 7, 2017
Sir Lowry’s Pass — which forms part of the N2 route — is currently closed to traffic.
N2 currently closed @ Broadlands Bldv due to fire. Use R44/Rooiels as alternative route #SirLowrysPassFire @OverbergFPA
— Kleinmond Tourism (@HangklipT) November 7, 2017
There are no reports of any other major wildfires on the Cape Peninsula.
This is a developing story…
Feature image: Andy Walker/Memeburn
