What promised to be a lovely summer weekend for the Cape has turned into a disaster for many residents of the normally sleepy fruit-growing region of Elgin, in the Overberg.

elgin fire

A fire has been raging in the valley since Saturday, with around 75 firefighters and a full compliment of firetrucks, water bombers and helicopters are reportedly still battling the blaze.

elgin fire

elgin fire

Several areas nearby have been evacuated, with the fire already claiming structures on three separate farms around the Houwhoek Pass. No injuries have been reported, but the fires even threatened popular boutique resort Old MacDaddy. Thankfully, the resort remains standing, with the owners no doubt fearing they would suffer the same fate as the Tintswalo Atlantic Lodge, which was burnt down in the Cape Fires of March 2015.

elgin fire

Residents of Gordon’s Bay experienced incredible sunsets as a result of the smoke from the Elgin fire and even on my own drive into the Cape Town CBD this morning from the Tableview area, I was treated to a blood red sunrise. It’s incredible to think that something as destructive as a bush fire could produce such stunning images:

gordon's bay

gordon's bay

gordon's bay

Photography courtesy @loveoverberg, VWS Wildfires@WelshPixie and Bryan Mennie

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37 Comments
  • Mynhardt Saayman
    Mynhardt Saayman
    January 18, 2016 at 8:49 am

    There is a rumor flying these fires started under questionable circumstances, so in other terms ARSON. One guess who will be behind this, unfortunately proving it will be difficult.

  • Anja Stoeckigt
    Anja Stoeckigt
    January 18, 2016 at 8:55 am

    Avril HansmeyerJoss HansmeyerHenry Hansmeyer this is what we saw yesterday

  • Welna du Toit
    Welna du Toit
    January 18, 2016 at 8:58 am

    The poor animals in the area!

  • Bettie Amira
    Bettie Amira
    January 18, 2016 at 9:44 am

    The poor fireman must be so very exhausted with all these fires. I think to of all the precious animals.

  • Lauren McCarthy Baker
    Lauren McCarthy Baker
    January 18, 2016 at 10:01 am

    I do hope it wasn’t arson

  • Paddy Best
    Paddy Best
    January 18, 2016 at 10:08 am

    Seems to be systematic !!!

  • Sue Whitehead
    Sue Whitehead
    January 18, 2016 at 10:15 am

    Is the n2 still closed ?

  • Cape Town Etc
    Cape Town Etc
    January 18, 2016 at 10:18 am

    Has been re-opened last I heard. Might want to keep an ear on the radio for updates.

  • Cape Town Etc
    Cape Town Etc
    January 18, 2016 at 10:18 am

    Hope so too.

  • Sue Whitehead
    Sue Whitehead
    January 18, 2016 at 10:20 am

    Believe vineyards have been lost U0001f614

  • Elaine Ridgway
    Elaine Ridgway
    January 18, 2016 at 10:38 am

    I bet you its arson! The Cape Town ones are!

  • Cape Town Etc
    Cape Town Etc
    January 18, 2016 at 11:31 am

    So sad 🙁

  • Linzi Ashford Hill
    Linzi Ashford Hill
    January 18, 2016 at 11:49 am

    No elec in whole of Hermanus area since 5 am as the power substation burnt down and the Eskom guys can’t even get to it as its still smouldering.

  • Jenni Bessesen
    Jenni Bessesen
    January 18, 2016 at 12:26 pm

    A person was see starting a fire. Definitely arson.

  • Elaine Ridgway
    Elaine Ridgway
    January 18, 2016 at 12:34 pm

    Jenni Bessesen Really!!

  • Isabella Sherman
    Isabella Sherman
    January 18, 2016 at 12:38 pm

    So very sad ! Thinking off all those Fire fighters who are working so hard! Can u imagine the heat they must be feeling! Thank u to each and everyone off u! Take care !!! Those starting it … Well the one above sees it all …

  • Riana Mellish
    Riana Mellish
    January 18, 2016 at 2:01 pm

    We got no electricity in Stanforc due to Botriver substation that burt down who knows when it can be fixed hope they find the person who started this horrible fire

  • Mathilde Du Plessis
    Mathilde Du Plessis
    January 18, 2016 at 3:52 pm

    These fires were started on purpose. It is a despicable thing to do. That person is a psychopathic mass murderer of thousands of small animals and maybe even some people.

  • Pieter Oberholzer
    Pieter Oberholzer
    January 18, 2016 at 6:30 pm

    It was bad between Glencairn and Fish Hoek as well

  • Terry De Ridder
    Terry De Ridder
    January 18, 2016 at 8:39 pm

    It is devastating! The firefighters are heros. Bless you!

  • Judy Freeman
    Judy Freeman
    January 18, 2016 at 8:43 pm

    Terrible. Thank G-d for our amazing firefighters.

  • Engela du Preez
    Engela du Preez
    January 18, 2016 at 8:44 pm

    They should declare it a disaster area.

  • Charlene Blakemore
    Charlene Blakemore
    January 18, 2016 at 9:27 pm

    Malin Menzel Neil Langford … Pictures from some of the fires we drove past today!!

  • Pauline Hare
    Pauline Hare
    January 18, 2016 at 9:28 pm

    Very sad. Will say a prayer for all those that have suffered a terrible loss. May the Lord give you the strength to carry-on, God bless you. Amen

  • Zeerp Ud Ettena
    Zeerp Ud Ettena
    January 18, 2016 at 9:29 pm

    o no 🙁

  • Malin Menzel
    Malin Menzel
    January 18, 2016 at 9:31 pm

    Yes pretty impressing U0001f633

  • Priscilla Davids
    Priscilla Davids
    January 18, 2016 at 9:55 pm

    terrible..may we b blessed with rain soon

  • Farieda Manuel
    Farieda Manuel
    January 18, 2016 at 10:55 pm

    Prayers for our firefighters. Our HEROES

  • Kkaussar Aleen
    Kkaussar Aleen
    January 18, 2016 at 10:56 pm

    What’s going on in the WC? Fires! Fires! It’s destroying the fauna and flora!

  • Susan Wiles
    Susan Wiles
    January 18, 2016 at 11:12 pm

    Have just spent the most wonderful time in this beautiful part of South Africa. Hermanus so lovely.Spent two weeks in Napier. Hope all will be okay have family in the Overburg. How can anyone want to do this?

  • Rosa Minnaar
    Rosa Minnaar
    January 18, 2016 at 11:14 pm

    Praying for everyone in the areas . I hope it pours down to assist with quenching the flames.

  • Michaela Freitag
    Michaela Freitag
    January 19, 2016 at 12:47 am

    Horrible ! Every year this fires. Love Cape Town!

  • Sandy Bourne
    Sandy Bourne
    January 19, 2016 at 6:20 am

    This is so awful

  • Cape Town Etc
    Cape Town Etc
    January 19, 2016 at 7:55 am

    Pretty normal for this time of year actually. Just glad they’re mostly managing to keep the big ones under control.

  • Elize Potgieter Barnard
    Elize Potgieter Barnard
    January 19, 2016 at 3:01 pm

    From last year Feb until now…just goes on and on…..

  • Delene Hector
    Delene Hector
    January 19, 2016 at 10:41 pm

    We drove through there today! Devastating! U0001f622

  • Peter Bresler
    Peter Bresler
    January 20, 2016 at 6:57 pm

    Whew…..this is terrible

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