Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Overberg counts the fiery cost
WITH fire season in full swing, property owners in the Southern Cape are counting the cost of devastating wildfires that have ravaged the area over the past two weeks.
Fires raged through the Overberg and Garden Route district municipalities, destroying properties and parts of the Greyton Nature Reserve earlier this month.
Authorities reported on Monday that all fires had been contained, but on Tuesday a fire broke out at Jonkersberg and another along the Great Brak River near the N2, where a vehicle caught fire.
In Gourtismond along the Garden Route, firefighters battled blazes for several days.
The destruction included the death of 33 livestock at Miller Horn’s farm.
The December 11 fire that started in an Overberg nature reserve was said to have cost R15 million in damages.
On December 15 the municipality issued a 21-day ban on making fires, stating that the fire department would respond to any smoke or fire reported.
“A fire investigation team from Enviro Wildfire Services has been appointed to identify those responsible and good progress is being made,” said the municipality.
Overberg fire chief Reinard Geldenhuys said the authorities were still counting the cost of the fires, with reports of the worst damages being on farms that were caught in the blaze.
At the Lismore Estate Vineyards, owned by Samantha O’Keefe, damage to all buildings, including the family home, cellars and parts of their vineyards, were reported.
A friend of the family, Carla Thiele, said the extent of the damage was too big to estimate just yet, adding that they were determined to rebuild everything that was lost.
“While everything was insured, one cannot insure for loss of income and the 2019 wine collection that was in the cellar was also lost,” she said.
“While the fire started in the nature reserve, there wasn’t an immediate threat to the farm as it was on the other side of the mountain and then last week on Tuesday it had gotten closer and we checked in with local authorities and we were reassured the fire was not approaching. But then suddenly it encroached on the farm and burnt everything within 30 minutes.”
A BackaBuddy campaign has been launched to help with funds to rebuild the vineyard.
“At last count we were sitting at R380 000 with a goal to raise R500 000. With all the damage caused by the fire, around 60% of the vineyards are salvageable and we are hoping to make a 2020 vintage,” Thiele said.
Another farm in the Greyton area, Blue Hippo, was also gutted by the fire last week. The farm, owned by Gabby van Heerden and Simone Beckerling, suffered extensive damage to structures, but the animals were saved.
An online fund raising campaign has also been set up to cover costs of the boarding fees for the animals that had to be relocated, as well as other expenses.
Authorities said while there were no fires in the area, they have warned travellers to take care not to start any fires, particularly along the busy N2 highway.
Traffic chief Kenny Africa said drivers and passengers must refrain from throwing cigarette butts out of car windows because most wildfires start that way.