In mid-October 2017 the Twelve Apostles range of Table Mountain burnt over the course of 5 days in dense alien vegetation on the privately owned lower slopes and in old stands of fynbos within the Table Mountain National Park.  It was a somewhat unusual fire in that it occurred in spring, before the typical Cape fire season. No human life was lost, and no notable damage to infrastructure was suffered. At the end of the day what we know as the #12ApostlesFire was a good ecological burn. I have been monitoring the fynbos regeneration and wildlife activity within the fire affected region and regularly visit the Twelve Apostles to observe changes to the landscape.

Scroll down for the details and images contained in the next update.

Cape Town – 14 December 2017

“A month after my post related to the incredible “Fire Lily” I returned to the burnt region of the Twelve Apostles in order to observe vegetation regeneration and signs of animal movements.

This time I spent the entire day hiking in the central region of the fire affected range 9 weeks after the fire. I’m sharing this a few weeks delayed: better late than never I suppose.

The Fire Lilies had finished blooming, but the emergence of Watsonia tabularis ensured that there were still splashes of orange on the mountain slopes. As many rocky areas and ledges escape the burn, you’ll pass plants which survived such as Cotyledon orbiculata, Syncarpha vestita, Disa harveiana & Agapanthus africanus.

Across the burn mountainside numerous plants continue to be re-sprouting and emerging from the blackened soil. Drimia exuviata & Eulophia tabularis were blooming, and burnt down Protea cynaroides are regrowing from their thick underground stems.”

Original post HERE

Looking south towards The Pimple.

Beautiful Protea details.

Protea nitida typically survives a fire as displayed here.

Striking contrasts!

Lichen covered rock adds vibrancy along the Twelve Apostles range.

Cotyledon orbiculata.

Example of a patch of Afromontane Forest surviving a fire.

Lion’s Head.

An unburnt patch of fynbos.

Syncarpha vestita.

Watsonia tabularis emerges.

Disa harveiana flowering on an unburnt section along the rocky 12 Apostles spine.

Agapanthus africanus in bud.

Looking north towards the summit plateau.

Corridor Ravine.

Looking north towards Camp’s Bay.

Grootkop and Oudekraal Ravine.

Eulophia tabularis.

Watsonia tabularis rising from the ashes at the burnt area adjacent to Tranquility Cracks with the summit plateau of Table Mountain as evident as ever.

View across the 12 Apostles spine towards Muizenberg corner.

Hely-Hutchinson & Woodhead Reservoirs seen beyond the fire affected northern slopes of Disa Gorge (R) & Spring Buttress (L).

The Slopes Of Table Mountain Burn can be viewed HERE

The Night Scene Above Hout Bay can be viewed HERE

The Burnt Western Slopes can be viewed HERE

The Fire And Forest Divide can be viewed HERE

1 Month Update can be viewed HERE