South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed that the wildfire which broke out in Pecks Valley near Boyes Drive on Sunday, 15 June 2025, was deliberately started — a criminal act known as arson.
Pecks Valley update: Arson cause of blaze
According to officials, investigations traced the fire’s origin to illegal activities by religious groups on the slopes of Table Mountain National Park.
The fire, which ignited around 08:30 in the morning, spread quickly along the mountainside due to strong winds. Although firefighters were able to contain the blaze before it damaged any property, the fire posed a significant threat to nearby communities and the natural environment.
Illegal fires blamed
SANParks spokesperson JP Louw stated that park rangers found several religious groups starting fires illegally in the area. These fires were not only unauthorised but violated strict safety rules designed to prevent such incidents in the national park.
“They were removed from the site and fined for violating fire safety regulations,” said Louw.
Arson means setting fire to land, property, or structures on purpose, and is a serious criminal offence.
In this case, it refers to the deliberate lighting of fires in a protected area, which could have led to loss of life or major environmental damage.
The fires were located above Boyes Drive and in the Pecks Valley area. Boyes Drive remains closed to the public while crews monitor the site for flare-ups and conduct clean-up operations, also known as mop-up efforts.
Firefighting efforts
The response involved multiple agencies, including SANParks, the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS), and NCC Wildfire Services.
These teams worked throughout the day to contain the fire and prevent it from reaching residential areas.
City fire spokesperson Jermaine Carelse confirmed that while the main fire above Boyes Drive has been brought under control, attention has now shifted to an active fire near Kalk Bay.
“Our crews are diligently monitoring for new flare-ups and ensuring all embers are extinguished,” said Carelse.
The windy weather made conditions worse, pushing flames into difficult-to-reach spots like Pecks Valley. Crews remain on the ground, watching for any signs of reignition.
Injuries and safety warnings
One volunteer firefighter from Wildfire Services was treated for smoke inhalation, which happens when someone breathes in harmful smoke during a fire. This can cause coughing, breathing problems, or more serious health effects.
Authorities are urging the public to stay away from all affected trails and to avoid Boyes Drive until it is safe to reopen. These restrictions are in place to protect both the public and the firefighters still working in the area.
“The collaboration with the various agencies — Table Mountain National Park, Volunteer Wildfire Services, and NCC — yielded positive results,” Carelse said, praising the teamwork that helped contain the blaze.
Firefighting teams will continue to monitor the area in the coming days to ensure the fire does not restart and to complete recovery operations.
