sawystertrance Posted January 18, 2016 Posted January 18, 2016 Man, this weekend brought more fires and misery for some in the Elgin valley. Does anybody know if trails have been affected? Places like Thandi, Elgin Country Club, Oak Valley, Lebanon in particular?
(Deon) Posted January 19, 2016 Posted January 19, 2016 Oak Valley unaffected; the 24hr event there this weekend has been mentioned will continue as planned.
sawystertrance Posted January 19, 2016 Author Posted January 19, 2016 Good news. What about the other side like Lebanon?
(Deon) Posted January 19, 2016 Posted January 19, 2016 Lebanon? Sad story here. http://www.trailseries.co.za/news/2016/01/19/spur-cape-summer-trail-series®-race-2-cancellation "On Saturday evening, 16th January 2016, the Wildrunner team watched helplessly from the start/finish location for race 2 of the Spur Cape Summer Trail Series®, as the forested hills and farms of Lebanon in the Elgin Valley were torn apart by vicious wildfires. At 9:49pm we were left with no choice but to cancel the event. The CSIR centre just to the east (upwind) of our routes, had at this stage been surrounded by the fire. On consultation with local disaster management and the owner of the farm it was clear that the fire was continuing unabated into the heart of the Lebanon plantation and onto the Spur Trail Series® routes. To continue with the event as planned would have been irresponsible and negligent." I believe the Old Mac Daddy accommodation suffered damage too. Now the Simonsberg mountain on the Pniel side has lit up. Simonsberg trails are on the other side and while there is no threat now, wind is a concern if it picks up.
Serious Panda Posted January 19, 2016 Posted January 19, 2016 I read that they are suspecting arson because they contained the fire only for a 2nd fire to start up separately from the 1st fire.
(Deon) Posted January 19, 2016 Posted January 19, 2016 I read that they are suspecting arson because they contained the fire only for a 2nd fire to start up separately from the 1st fire.We all know it, don't we, it's so clear... with the peninsula fires, people were even caught but for some reason the police did not prosecute. 40 cases of arson have apparently been opened now..
Slowbee Posted January 19, 2016 Posted January 19, 2016 old macdaddy last a deck that they were planning on using as an extension, otherwise it stopped literally at their doorstep. BUT, from my office I can see another big fire over the jonkershoek mtns
(Deon) Posted January 19, 2016 Posted January 19, 2016 old macdaddy last a deck that they were planning on using as an extension, otherwise it stopped literally at their doorstep. BUT, from my office I can see another big fire over the jonkershoek mtnsSimonsberg, Pniel side
Kapenschtaten Posted January 19, 2016 Posted January 19, 2016 Someone told me that arson is suspected as some of the fire fighters only get paid if there's a fire......supply and demand I suppose......not sure how true it is.
Jewbacca Posted January 19, 2016 Posted January 19, 2016 It is infuriating. Not on a trail/mountain biking side but on a humanitarian level. Guys have cultivated farms and built businesses through blood sweat and tears and some tjops with matches and a bottle of petrol trying to prove who knows what are able to destroy it all without fear of consequence. It is disgusting. For fear of being found and executed for being un PC I will not say how I really feel.....
lukelockie Posted January 19, 2016 Posted January 19, 2016 It is infuriating. Not on a trail/mountain biking side but on a humanitarian level. Guys have cultivated farms and built businesses through blood sweat and tears and some tjops with matches and a bottle of petrol trying to prove who knows what are able to destroy it all without fear of consequence. It is disgusting. For fear of being found and executed for being un PC I will not say how I really feel..... http://static.images.publisher.attn.com/sites/default/files/southpark.jpg
madbradd Posted January 19, 2016 Posted January 19, 2016 Oak Valley definitely not affected. Apparently quite a few farms on the southern part of the valley affected. I think Iona residents got evacuated. Trying to get a bit more info.
madbradd Posted January 19, 2016 Posted January 19, 2016 Someone told me that arson is suspected as some of the fire fighters only get paid if there's a fire......supply and demand I suppose......not sure how true it is.Apparently there is a psychopathic disorder of sorts called Hero Syndrome which is "common" in firefighters. Something to do with creating an event where you can look like a hero coming in to save people (or similar). Thank you Stephen Fry and the team from QI for teaching me that.
sawystertrance Posted January 19, 2016 Author Posted January 19, 2016 Quite Interesting...But tragic, especially for us riders.And farm owners, of course
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