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I had been inside all day, absorbed in work, when a message from my former roommate lures me outside. "I know you're busy, don't want to disturb, but I'm outside waiting for M to get back and just wanted to say hi."
After having worked through lunch, I thought it was as good a time (and an excuse) as any to take a quick break.
I opened my door only to be greeted by an almost otherworldly, eerie sight: twirling ash flakes and thin layers of foglike smoke as far as I could see.
I ran through the courtyard towards the gate that leads out to the street, where my friend was waiting in her car. "What on earth is going on?" I asked her.
She pointed up the street. Above the tree line, the mountain had disappeared behind a billowing cloud. Turns out the mountain closest to our neighbourhood, in a stunning nature reserve called Jonkershoek, caught fire. To make matters worse, the infamous Southeaster wind has been sweeping across the area for the past few days, adding fuel to the fire and making it extremely difficult for firefighters to contain it.
As far as we know, no neighbourhoods are in danger. Many people were out and about, to, like us gawk at the strange sight, or to go about their business as usual. The ash floated down and, like snow flakes, settled in our hair and dusted our clothes. The smoke soon ignited our throats and stung our eyes. We covered our noses and mouths with our hands and walked around the corner.
"This is what it must feel like to live near an active volcano!" I sputtered.
It's so weird, because I've been glancing out my North-facing window all day, seeing the cloudless, clear blue sky and watching the Southeaster's forceful dance with the Oak trees, entirely oblivious to what is going on the other side of the house.
Earlier today, I even saw a headline online about wildfires here in the Western Cape, but typically, I thought it was further away.
Despite the discomfort and possible danger, it does make for a spectacular sight. Right now, the setting sun remains defiantly visible through the smoke, looking like a luminous, orange ball, seemingly suspended in mid-air. It has tinted the smoke shades of pink and purple.
It is almost as if the day is dying in a glorious blaze of its own.
Let's just hope the fires die down soon too. (Although I doubt it, because the wind has gotten a second breath and is blowing with renewed vigour.)
P.S. Great minds think alike! (Yeah, yeah... or fools never differ then!) Apparently a blazing mountain in one's hometown is a hot topic. My sister has blogged about it too. She's even added pics from their vantage point against the hill on the other side of town. Only thing is, according to her, the neighbourhood closest to the mountain (not mine) IS in danger!
Updated: Stepped outside again. The smoke has descended upon the entire town and the wind is still quite fierce. Saw yet another fire engine speeding up the street. We all smell like two-packs-a-day smokers.
After having worked through lunch, I thought it was as good a time (and an excuse) as any to take a quick break.
I opened my door only to be greeted by an almost otherworldly, eerie sight: twirling ash flakes and thin layers of foglike smoke as far as I could see.
I ran through the courtyard towards the gate that leads out to the street, where my friend was waiting in her car. "What on earth is going on?" I asked her.
She pointed up the street. Above the tree line, the mountain had disappeared behind a billowing cloud. Turns out the mountain closest to our neighbourhood, in a stunning nature reserve called Jonkershoek, caught fire. To make matters worse, the infamous Southeaster wind has been sweeping across the area for the past few days, adding fuel to the fire and making it extremely difficult for firefighters to contain it.
As far as we know, no neighbourhoods are in danger. Many people were out and about, to, like us gawk at the strange sight, or to go about their business as usual. The ash floated down and, like snow flakes, settled in our hair and dusted our clothes. The smoke soon ignited our throats and stung our eyes. We covered our noses and mouths with our hands and walked around the corner.
"This is what it must feel like to live near an active volcano!" I sputtered.
It's so weird, because I've been glancing out my North-facing window all day, seeing the cloudless, clear blue sky and watching the Southeaster's forceful dance with the Oak trees, entirely oblivious to what is going on the other side of the house.
Earlier today, I even saw a headline online about wildfires here in the Western Cape, but typically, I thought it was further away.
Despite the discomfort and possible danger, it does make for a spectacular sight. Right now, the setting sun remains defiantly visible through the smoke, looking like a luminous, orange ball, seemingly suspended in mid-air. It has tinted the smoke shades of pink and purple.
It is almost as if the day is dying in a glorious blaze of its own.
Let's just hope the fires die down soon too. (Although I doubt it, because the wind has gotten a second breath and is blowing with renewed vigour.)
P.S. Great minds think alike! (Yeah, yeah... or fools never differ then!) Apparently a blazing mountain in one's hometown is a hot topic. My sister has blogged about it too. She's even added pics from their vantage point against the hill on the other side of town. Only thing is, according to her, the neighbourhood closest to the mountain (not mine) IS in danger!
Updated: Stepped outside again. The smoke has descended upon the entire town and the wind is still quite fierce. Saw yet another fire engine speeding up the street. We all smell like two-packs-a-day smokers.
Comments (3)
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written by Catz, February 05, 2009
I heard on the news this morning that the gym at Stellenbosch university had caught fire! Sounds like you're around there somewhere. I hope it dies down soon. My husband's daughter has just started her first year there, and I hope she's OK.
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written by The Source, February 05, 2009
Weird, I would imagine with all the rain Gauteng is receiving you guys would get some as well... but nooooo, the Western Cape has to be different.
Come rain or snow our mountains will burn
Come rain or snow our mountains will burn
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written by redsaid, February 05, 2009
Trust me, I'd rather have the Gauteng rain or even snow (which I truly hated when I lived in the States) than this! Everything in my place is covered in ash!!! But at least it's still standing, so lots to be grateful for. Last night, my student neighbours and I were trying to figure out what we would take with us if we had to evacuate. I'm afraid to say that I wouldn't have travelled very light! Because I want to take all my books! Ha ha!
Catz, the gym did indeed burn down, and yes, it's quite close to where I live. In fact, it WAS my neighbourhood that was affected, because I live down the street from Jonkershoek Nature Reserve where it began. Don't worry though, because none of the student hostels are close to Coetzenburg and the Sport Sciences Centre, so I'm sure your stepdaughter is okay! I heard that even the Lanzerac Hotel up the street from us were evacuated!
Poor firefighters. I feel sorry for them, because they have this wicked wind to contend with as well!
Catz, the gym did indeed burn down, and yes, it's quite close to where I live. In fact, it WAS my neighbourhood that was affected, because I live down the street from Jonkershoek Nature Reserve where it began. Don't worry though, because none of the student hostels are close to Coetzenburg and the Sport Sciences Centre, so I'm sure your stepdaughter is okay! I heard that even the Lanzerac Hotel up the street from us were evacuated!
Poor firefighters. I feel sorry for them, because they have this wicked wind to contend with as well!
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