A series depicting the brave men and woman who risk their lives combatting rampant wildfires in South Africa. Going beyond the public eye, these men and woman face disaster head on in the mountains, on the urban wildland interface and from the sky.
Walking with Fire: Going Beyond
Series, 2nd place. The online vote winner
Defeat.
A firefighter walks through a corridor of burning informal houses with an empty hose. 15 000 people displaced in a fire that claimed 4 lives and + 2000 houses.
A firefighter walks through a corridor of burning informal houses with an empty hose. 15 000 people displaced in a fire that claimed 4 lives and + 2000 houses.
Morning Light.
A Working on Fire huey helicopter collects water on the edge of the suburbs as a rampant wildfire burns nearby. The Somerset West fire burned for 8 days, destroying 10 000 hectares of vegetation.
A Working on Fire huey helicopter collects water on the edge of the suburbs as a rampant wildfire burns nearby. The Somerset West fire burned for 8 days, destroying 10 000 hectares of vegetation.
Trouble in Paradise.
2 Interagency Specialised Hotshot firefighters walk on a farm road during a large wildfire in the Robertson District. Firefighters were overwhelmed by strong winds and erratic fire behaviour, yet prevailed to protect all farm property.
2 Interagency Specialised Hotshot firefighters walk on a farm road during a large wildfire in the Robertson District. Firefighters were overwhelmed by strong winds and erratic fire behaviour, yet prevailed to protect all farm property.
Standing Tall.
A Firefighter stands his ground as a wildfire ripped through the farm land in the Robertson District. Firefighters were overwhelmed by strong winds and erratic fire behaviour, yet prevailed to protect all farm property.
A Firefighter stands his ground as a wildfire ripped through the farm land in the Robertson District. Firefighters were overwhelmed by strong winds and erratic fire behaviour, yet prevailed to protect all farm property.
Last Breath.
A 1792 Historical Dutch Style House burns as a wildfire blazed down the mountain into the rural Paarl farmlands. This was the last image taken of this houses before it went up in flames. It was the home of the prominent Afrikaans writer and poet better known as Totius.
A 1792 Historical Dutch Style House burns as a wildfire blazed down the mountain into the rural Paarl farmlands. This was the last image taken of this houses before it went up in flames. It was the home of the prominent Afrikaans writer and poet better known as Totius.
Heavens of Fire.
A crew leader holds his hands up signalling to crews below the oncoming danger behind them. The crews rushed down the mountain to secure a flank besides a house. This crew spent 28 hours protecting property high up in the mountains.
A crew leader holds his hands up signalling to crews below the oncoming danger behind them. The crews rushed down the mountain to secure a flank besides a house. This crew spent 28 hours protecting property high up in the mountains.
Oryx of the Sky.
A South African National Defence Force helicopter (Oryx) assists ground crews as they make their way up the right flank of a large wildfire 1200m above sea level.
A South African National Defence Force helicopter (Oryx) assists ground crews as they make their way up the right flank of a large wildfire 1200m above sea level.
Angel Drop.
A pilot in a Huey helicopter makes the perfect drop from above during a wildfire near Koeberg Power Station.
A pilot in a Huey helicopter makes the perfect drop from above during a wildfire near Koeberg Power Station.
Walking with Fire.
During a 10 day inferno on the Cape Peninsula, firefighters battled to contain one of the largest wildfires in Cape Town History. In the image, a firefighter holds his head up high as he walks towards a fire burning in the plantations.
During a 10 day inferno on the Cape Peninsula, firefighters battled to contain one of the largest wildfires in Cape Town History. In the image, a firefighter holds his head up high as he walks towards a fire burning in the plantations.
Blaze Battle.
A volunteer firefighter takes a leap as fire attempts to jumps the road. Crews had been holding the line for most of the day, only for the wind to change and force all crews on the flank to evacuate to safe ground.
A volunteer firefighter takes a leap as fire attempts to jumps the road. Crews had been holding the line for most of the day, only for the wind to change and force all crews on the flank to evacuate to safe ground.
Fire Run.
3 volunteer firefighters run through a fire in a vineyard to attack the fire head on after just moments before evacuating to lower ground.
3 volunteer firefighters run through a fire in a vineyard to attack the fire head on after just moments before evacuating to lower ground.
Eyes of Fury.
A 'Working on Fire' firefighter looks on in despair as a wildfire burns strong in the veld around him.
A 'Working on Fire' firefighter looks on in despair as a wildfire burns strong in the veld around him.