Somerset West Fires (now including paarl and stellies/jonkers)

[dev null]

I have confirmed info from a well connected and respected source that the major fire in the Somerset West/Lourensford area was arson.

 

Edit: He indicated that the fires yesterday at Lourensford destroyed some of the fruit orchards. Also, another farm there lost about 40% of their vineyards, and a lot of the olive trees, which is a big part of their business. The vineyards will require a 4 year recovery, while the olive trees will take 7 years. This person is involved in the wine industry and has contact/business with most of the wine estates in the area.

[sawystertrance]

I see J.P Smith says all fires were started by humans although is is not clear if it was intentional. I wonder what can be done to prevent this?

[sawystertrance]

I have confirmed info from a well connected and respected source that the major fire in the Somerset West/Lourensford area was arson.

 

Edit: He indicated that the fires yesterday at Lourensford destroyed some of the fruit orchards. Also, another farm there lost about 40% of their vineyards, and a lot of the olive trees, which is a big part of their business. The vineyards will require a 4 year recovery, while the olive trees will take 7 years. This person is involved in the wine industry and has contact/business with most of the wine estates in the area.

So sorry for him and all those affected. And that is why I asked what can be done to prevent it. I get the feeling the Cape can't take much more of this.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I see J.P Smith says all fires were started by humans although is is not clear if it was intentional. I wonder what can be done to prevent this?

Well, he's not entirely incorrect. All the glass is put there by humans. Therefor if it's started by glass refracting sunlight, it's a man made fire. 

[dev null]

Regular sweeps by teams for glass fragments may help. Not sure who will pay though. Could be a probable business venture if people most affected by fire damage is willing to set out money for this, or even be funded by government.

[Frosty]

https://twitter.com/TrafficSA/status/819113708538437632

[Pure Savage]

I have confirmed info from a well connected and respected source that the major fire in the Somerset West/Lourensford area was arson.

 

Edit: He indicated that the fires yesterday at Lourensford destroyed some of the fruit orchards. Also, another farm there lost about 40% of their vineyards, and a lot of the olive trees, which is a big part of their business. The vineyards will require a 4 year recovery, while the olive trees will take 7 years. This person is involved in the wine industry and has contact/business with most of the wine estates in the area.

morgenster looked badly hit.

[sawystertrance]

Regular sweeps by teams for glass fragments may help. Not sure who will pay though. Could be a probable business venture if people most affected by fire damage is willing to set out money for this, or even be funded by government.

could be a EPWP project - like the Working for Water one - or perhaps the glass collected could be recycled by private business. Perhaps......

[PhilipV]

could be a EPWP project - like the Working for Water one - or perhaps the glass collected could be recycled by private business. Perhaps......

Well a great start would be for Working for Water to start removing the aliens they cut down and not just leave it there to act as fuel for the next wildfire.

[sawystertrance]

Problem with that is it starts the debate again about what aliens are worth having. For example, what would Welvanpas be like with no pines?

[marko35s]

Well, he's not entirely incorrect. All the glass is put there by humans. Therefor if it's started by glass refracting sunlight, it's a man made fire. 

And if you scratch around enough at Tokai, for example,you will find plenty of glass (beer bottles mainly) all over the show, people just don't care.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

parts of glencairn being evacuated. Source: VWS groups. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Here you go.

 

 

[Meezo]

o No!

 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Pics

 

[dirtypot]

I was doing hill repeats on Red Hill this morning and thinking to myself how much I loved the trees, the sounds of the birds waking up, and even saw a buck running in the road just in front of me.  Now it's most likely all going to be gone.  

So sad.

I hate fires.