Battle to bring Knysna fires under control continues

Firefighting crews worked overnight to prevent flare-ups as many blazes were contained, but not brought under control. 

 

At least four lives have been lost in the devastating fires.

 

More than 300 structures, mostly homes, have been destroyed by the fires in the Southern Cape.

 

Around 10 000 evacuated people have not yet been able to return home to start rebuilding their lives.

 

Knysna fire chief Clinton Manuel says the plan is to make the area as safe as possible. 

 

"We are making excellent progress. We still have resources arriving from all over the Western Cape. We are using all those resources to optimal performance.

 

"The plan would be, once again, to start water bombing and to secure the flanks of the fire where we know it could possible spread due to an increase in wind speeds."

#KnysnaFire More than 400 firefighters from every town along southern coast have responded to call over last 24 hrs https://t.co/971dRhx9ZO pic.twitter.com/oNBeW5x06a

— VWS Wildfires (@vwsfires) June 8, 2017

Meanwhile, Plettenberg Bay volunteer firefighter, Bradley Richards, who sustained severe burn wounds, is on life support in a George hospital. 

 

Richards and a fellow firefighter, Ian Barnard, were injured when the fire turned on them in the middle of Knysna's Harkerville Forest.

 

Ordinary people, charity organisations and businesses have rallied to support those affected by the fire storm.

 

Knysna Fire: Donate to help those in need

 

Donations are pouring in and many businesses have stepped in to help get donated goods to those in need, with some donating as much as R10 million.

 

The Knysna community itself has shown extraordinary resilience as people supported those in greater need than themselves.