Rain tames fire in Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

Unseasonal rain has helped to prevent a run-away fire in the Western Cape’s Hemel-en-Aarde Valley from doing damage to farms. The fire started on Wednesday afternoon (January 16) near Hawston.

- Advertisement -

Run-away fires on the Onrus mountains. Photo by onto the Onrus mountains and finally died out last night at Chanteclaire before it could reach farms on the other side of the mountain.

Johan Montgomery, a viticulturist at Hamilton Russell Vineyards, said the fire was extinguished with the help of 15mm of rain.
“Farmers this time of year hope that it doesn’t rain, because of the risk of botrytis and other fungal diseases to wine grapes.

We will start harvesting towards the end of next month. This time, however, the rain served as a desperately needed intervention and it doesn’t look as if any of the farmers suffered any damages,” said Montgomery.

- Advertisement -

Run-away fires on the Onrus mountains. Photo by Cornelia van der Merwe

A good follow-up alien management programme is needed to control alien plant species that will emerge out of the burnt area. “Fire is necessary for the fynbos reproduction cycle, but with uncontrolled fires it is important that government has a programme to prevent aliens from taking over as these create fire hot spots and in effect increase fire risks,” he said.