Burnt Umber

On the 24th April this year I published a photograph of a peaceful tranquil green corner on the route from the N11 to the village of Capmanys.

Today Adam and I took a trip up there to see the result of the disastrous fire of three weeks ago that devastated the area and caused a huge outpouring of anger and grief at the stupid actions of a smoking motorist whose discarding of a still lit ashtray caused such destruction to lives, property and livelihoods. The photograph was taken from the same place as the one taken five months ago.

As we approached the village the evidence of the fire was stark on the hillsides, houses with hedges destroyed and garden trees in black twisted shapes, fields of vines half obliterated, but strangely bunches of swelling grapes on scorched vines leading to hopes of a fair harvest.

The ladies of commercial easy virtue were still there, though their concealment was reduced to black ash, but cars were still stopping and deals were being negotiated.

Rocks had shattered under the intense heat, and in the stream bottoms, green shoots were reappearing, some of the shrubs had suffered flash fires and the leaves had gone but the stems were soot blackened rather than burnt.

Six people lost their lives directly as a result of the fire, many more will have to suffer with the consequences, emotionally and economically for years to come.

What can be done to prevent a repeat? Not a lot I suspect, the legacy of charred cans and broken bottles among the ashes tell of careless and thoughtless discarding of litter.

Evidence is being gathered and DNA collected, but the chances of nailing the idiots who threw the cigarette ends are slim indeed. It seems that nothing can be done and the future will probably hold more scenes such as these. Sad that an area as beautiful and serene as this may once more be destroyed.