Published on: Mar 2, 2026 at 10:31
Welgemoed residents living near Tygerberg Nature Reserve and other City nature reserves may notice smoke in the coming days, due to the City’s ongoing conservation and wildfire risk reduction programme. The City of Cape Town’s Biodiversity Management Branch has scheduled a series of controlled ecological burns between 2 and 4 March 2026, weather permitting.
Why Are Controlled Burns Necessary?
Renosterveld forms part of South Africa’s Fynbos Biome. With the exception of forest and strandveld, these vegetation types are both fire-prone and fire-dependent.
Without periodic burning:
- Ageing vegetation accumulates
- Seed germination is reduced
- Biodiversity declines
- Wildfire risk increases
Controlled burns clear dense canopies, allow sunlight to reach the soil, and stimulate natural regeneration. For Swartland Shale Renosterveld, present in Tygerberg Nature Reserve, fire cycles are typically required every 7–15 years to maintain ecological health.
Planned Burn Schedule
The City has announced the following operations:
- Monday, 2 March – Blaauwberg Nature Reserve (±10 ha)
- Tuesday, 3 March – Westlake Conservation Centre (±2.1 ha)
- Wednesday, 4 March – Tygerberg Nature Reserve (±33 ha, western slopes near Plattekloof)
Tygerberg Nature Reserve will be closed to the public during the operation. Burns will only proceed under suitable weather conditions and will not take place on weekends or public holidays. No ignition will occur after 14:00, and each burn is expected to be completed within a single day.
Safety Measures
The City has confirmed the fires are controlled ecological burns:
- All required burning permits have been obtained
- Qualified and experienced firefighting teams will conduct the burns
- Fire and Rescue Services and Air Quality Management have approved the operations
What Residents Should Do
If you live near affected areas:
- Keep windows and doors closed during burn periods
- Avoid hanging laundry outdoors due to ash
- Ensure vegetation along property fence lines is cleared as required by law
To report an uncontrolled wildfire:
- Landline: 107
- Cellphone: 021 480 7700
Why This Matters to Welgemoed
As a community adjacent to Tygerberg Nature Reserve, controlled ecological management benefits us directly. Healthy, managed fynbos reduces the risk of uncontrolled wildfire events and supports long-term biodiversity. While smoke may be inconvenient for a short period, these burns are a planned and necessary part of maintaining resilient natural systems.
Welgemoed CID Management
Welgemoed CID operates in alignment with the City of Cape Town’s core service delivery and governance pillars. For operational assistance or urgent matters, residents are encouraged to save the Welgemoed CID Control Room number: 086 1212 315.
