The City of Cape Town’s Biodiversity Management Branch staff and partners will be conducting an ecological burn at the Pelican Park section of the False Bay Nature Reserve. If weather conditions are favourable, this ecological burn will commence on Tuesday, 24 March 2026. Ecological burns are vital to the ecological functioning and preservation of natural vegetation, as well as reducing fire risk. Read more below:
The contained area of approximately 10 hectares is located within the boundaries of the False Bay Nature Reserve’s Pelican Park section. The burn site is located further into the nature reserve, a distance away from the residential area.
The area comprises of dune ridges and troughs with Endangered Cape Flats Dune Strandveld vegetation. The main objective of this planned ecological burn is to remove senescent Strandveld vegetation and promote new growth. The risk of wildfires will also be reduced as the burn reduces the fuel load.
‘Residents can be assured that the burn permit for this ecological burn has been successfully obtained from both the City of Cape Town Air Quality Management and Fire and Rescue Services Department. If all goes as planned and the weather conditions are favourable, the burn will take place on Monday, 24 March 2026. If weather conditions change for Monday, we will consider alternative dates from 24 to 26 March. 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 will be 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.
Residents in the Pelican Park area are advised to please keep all windows and doors closed while the burn is underway, to prevent smoke from entering buildings.
For more information, contact Biodiversity@capetown.gov.za.
To report a wildfire, please contact the City’s Fire and Rescue and Emergency Services on 107 from a landline and 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.
