The wildfires that sprung up in the Overstrand area on Friday due to strong winds after being briefly contained have ravaged the community, bringing down a total of 31 structures and damaging 28. Residents in the area were forced to abandon their homes and flee to safety, leaving everything behind.
The once green and lush areas have been replaced by singed black lands and the unique flora and fauna that previously flourished are now gone.
Kogelberg Nature Reserve, one of the areas affected by the fires, is considered one of the most beautiful of CapeNature’s protected areas. It earns this reputation largely because of the minimal human interference in the area. Its exceptional diversity and abundance of fynbos means it is considered the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom.
The reserve presents perhaps the finest example of mountain fynbos in the Western Cape and is a renowned World Heritage Site.
New developments for the reserve have been placed on hold and the reserve has been closed until further notice.
Pictures: Facebook/Ruwaidah Wentzel-Allie