Elgin Fires

[(Deon)]

Did you see the footage of the Ocean View fire reaching the Rasta Camp? Heart wrenching. Aletta Harrison's photo and caption sums it all up for me.. 

 

[sawystertrance]

So Damned tragic. And to think someone intentionally did this....

[Fisan]

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..... 

 

This infuriates me beyond SA's political problems - hashtags and all. In some cases lives were lost. That's basically murder. I hope the burn is returned to them in afterlife.

[Shebeen]

I think in terms of trails, it's only lebanon south of the N2 that would have been affected. It came right up to the farmhouse, but these guys are a real community and pitch in to help each other when it's required.

 

http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2016/01/19/Lucky-escape-from-Cape-fire

 

 

 

 

 

some pics here

https://www.facebook.com/JSullivanPhotography/

[BrandonF_]

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.

...my theory since last year,..call it a "wicked act of personal supply and demand"

[Shebeen]

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.

have heard that too. but then the issue is that the contracts are all done wrong, WCape needs to pay these guys no matter if there's fire or not. 

[sawystertrance]

And now Simonsberg also under threat.. Are Muratie and Delheim safe? Anyone know?

[NicoBoshoff]

And now Simonsberg also under threat.. Are Muratie and Delheim safe? Anyone know?

Meuratie and Delheim started burning early this morning already.  Focus obviously now on vineyards.  Forest and trails will be sacrificed if needed.

[Dogfish]

To some the damage was extensive, a good friend had their farm torn apart with damages mounting to 4mil!! the community was amazing, helping, fighting and supporting neighbors, friends and strangers alike to minimize losses! 

[sawystertrance]

Meuratie and Delheim started burning early this morning already.  Focus obviously now on vineyards.  Forest and trails will be sacrificed if needed.

Damn. the whole sorry episode is shocking and can just not be due to naturally combusting fires. Has this number of fires ever been recorded in the Cape before?