A strong Berg wind has blown today, shaking trees, creating eddies of dry leaves on the ground – and fanning a veld fire, funnelling the thick smoke down into the valley to smother our town.
The smoke grew thicker as the wind strengthened and the fire spread across the hills, threatening the hospital, a retirement centre and other buildings. A local school evacuated their scholars when the fire came too close.
It does not take long for a fire to eat its way through tinder dry grass and drought-stricken vegetation when there is a strong wind to egg it on. In no time at all the flames crossed the disused railway line and the smoke billowed upward.
The extent of the fire and the smoke attracted dozens of onlookers – we haven’t experienced such a veld fire so close at hand for a season or so.
Even though all the municipal fire trucks had been fully deployed they couldn’t fill the gaps. This is where the community pulled together. The university bowser came to assist.
Other assistance came from schools, the army base, a neighbouring municipality and even a nearby game reserve.
So much water has been used to fight a blaze when there is already so little to spare.
Something Over Tea 
A pretty scary thing when fire comes so close. Hope it gets contained quickly.
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The town slept under a thick blanket of smoke: the early morning light glows a rich orange. The fire has been extinguished thank goodness.
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Good news!
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I hope things have been brought under control now, Anne?
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It has – it is astounding how quickly the fire spread from one part of town to the other. Now we really need rain!
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We’ll pray with you!
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This is the kind of reporting that merits attention: bad news seen up close reveals some good news too. Good work, Anne. Well done, neighbors and friends.
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And, thankfully, some light rain is falling now that will help to dampen the embers 🙂
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Frightening circumstances. I’m glad that the fire was brought under control.
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Really scarey. I hope your region had some more rain in the last few days? We were lucky and had really decent rain on Saturday.
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10mm was enough to dampen down the ash and freshen the air. It is frightening to see just how large an area of grass and bush was consumed by the fire though – and so quickly.
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I suppose 10 mm is better than nothing, and well timed after such a fire. What an unsettling experience.
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It led to a number of people along the fringes of it packing documents and valuables in their vehicles, ready to flee. Ironically, as you know, fire can also be regenerative in the veld.
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Gosh that is hectic. And yes, fire can be paradoxical. Hope you are coping with the current chilly weather.
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