Raging fires leave SANParks staff homeless
More than seventy people associated with the South African National Parks (SANParks) have been left homeless in the raging wildfires in the Garden Route.
The fires have killed 8 people and destroyed thousands of hectares of vegetation.
SANParks spokesperson Nandi Mgwadlamba says 18 staff houses were burnt down in Farleigh and 5 in Beervlei in the greater Karatara area near Knysna, as the flames are fanned by gale-force winds.
The 8 people killed by the fires in Farleigh were two woman and six young children.
Mgwadlamba says they were family of retired SANParks staff.
She says those who were displaced in Farleigh and Beervlei are being sheltered in a camp at Wilderness, until a short to medium-term plan is made regarding where they are going to be housed.
"Forty-five thousand hectares throughout the Garden Route as affected by the fire. An estimation of about five thousand of those hectares are actually in the park. We are busy assessing the situation and monitoring the fires."
Mgwadlamba further extended a heartfelt thanks to the public who have generously donated to assist the families left destitute by the fires.