Sunset after the fire

A velt (bush) fire swept through this valley a couple of weeks ago, burning the grass, indigenous fynbos (the area supports the biggest biodiversity on the planet), trees and lots of trees.

As I drove past this evening, the setting sun caught the devastated trees and gave the area a distinctly autumnal look. Sadly, these aren't golden leaves ready to fall to the ground. Some of these trees may have survived, but it will take several years for them to recover.

The plus is that the fynbos needs to be burnt every fifteen years or so so that it's seeds can germinate. Another fire nearby a couple of years ago swept through an area that had not seen fire for several decades. The flames led to the awakening of some plant life that had been considered extinct.

As if that little miracle wasn't enough, close inspection of the area will probably reveal fresh growth already. Typically, the grass and succulents make a partial recovery in weeks, the fynbos takes a bit longer - eighteen months to two years is about the norm.

Leica D-LUX 3