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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