New life after the fire

Took a drive down to Cape Point this morning to see the damage done by the lightning strike which caused such devastation and loss of life. The fire started near Platboom and the lightning strike was witnessed by a friend who was beachcombing that day. Strong winds fanned the blaze and over some days, an 11-kilometre swathe burned up the western side of the Reserve, leaving very little in its wake. A walk across the grey sand revealed the sad remains of many, many tortoises; it was strange to note that most of them were near the edge of the road and facing into what had been bushes - how could they have known that the road might have been the safer place?
And yet new life is already making an appearance. A fire lily has burst through the crusted soil in defiance, despite no rains as yet. A tiny tortoise crossed the road in search of a green leaf - its shell was shiny and undamaged and I removed it from danger in the road and placed it next to a sparse patch of greenery that had miraculously escaped the flames. On a rock nearby, a spiny lizard sunned itself. The centres of very densely packed plants remained green despite blackened outer leaves and will doubtless return to former glory. The fynbos will be rejuvenated with new growth and seed germination. It will take time, but it will happen.

Moonscape

Future fynbos?

Rocks shattered by the heat

A sad casualty

Fire lily

Just over the road...

Platboom - the fire started on the right

Possible site of lightning strike