The Helderberg has been combed by private investigators to find evidence of possible arson in the wake of fires that have wrought havoc in the area.

At the Lourensford Estate, owned by the Wiese family, estimated losses are expected to be in excess of R25 million.  Firefighters and staff at the estate and  have battled with the flames for four weeks with high winds and extreme heat making conditions extremely difficult.

Barry Humby, production manager at Lourensford has said that while the loss of the pine plantations was included in the estimated R25 million it did not include losses incurred by the failure to harvest certain crops due to the estate’s manpower being fully occupied fighting the fires.

Another top wine estate, Vergelegen, has been severely damaged by the raging fires.  Vergelegen’s manager Dan Tooth said that almost half the farm had been burnt – between 1000 and 1500 hectares. 

The owners, Anglo American, have been pioneering a multimillion rand project to clear alien vegetation and restore the original fynbos on the farm.  Tooth said  “much of these areas have been reduced to stone and rock now.” 

The luxury lodges of Wedderwill and Knorhoek were spared while the farms were ravaged by the flames.

Ian Schnettler, the city fire chief said that private landowners would be billed for the fire fighting services as well as aerial water bombing could cost up to R31 000 per hour.

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