Fire! Bugs?

It never does to become complacent in Cape Town. After two exceptionally idyllic months, we are now being thrashed by the southeaster. This fuelled the rapid spread of yet another no doubt deliberately set wildfire that raged from Scarborough to Ocean View yesterday. Once again our heroic firefighters, paid and voluntary, came to the rescue and the outstanding skills of our helicopter pilots doused the flames over a 12-hour period. Four helicopters thundered overhead all day, at times making the house shake and I kept rushing out to wave at them, by way of a rather pathetic attempt at Thank You! Strong winds buffeted them but they held steady despite sometimes retreating for another attempt to take the rise at Slangkop and there is little doubt that without their accuracy more devastation would have ensued. While the cost in flora and fauna lost is immeasurable, houses and possessions will be replaced. Today was mopping up day, as a thick layer of black ash covered everything inside and outside our houses. The wind continues to blast up the valley, spreading more ash on newly cleaned surfaces.
Rumour has it, and we can only hope it is true, that an arsonist has been apprehended. Whether this is so or not, a suitable punishment would be front-line duties at every wildfire for the next 20 years or so, without the benefit of protective clothing. And definitely without the food and water so generously donated by the local communities, who never fail to step up to the mark in the hour of need. Capetonians can be proud of their unstinting generosity when called upon for help. The fires that have been deliberately set over the last few years are a huge drain on the resources of the city and divert funds from the areas where they are needed most. No wonder many are smelling a rat.