Home » Fire Update: Conditions Finally Optimistic for Eden District and Knysna Fires on Day 5

Fire Update: Conditions Finally Optimistic for Eden District and Knysna Fires on Day 5

The latest updates on the Knysna Fires are starting to look more positive… and there is hope on the horizon. In an official update on Sunday the Western Cape Government said weather Conditions are improving along the Garden route “Fire-fighters hit the ground running this morning as Day 5 of the Knysna Fire dawned. As cooler weather prevailed […]

By SAPeople
11-06-17 14:03
in Fab South African Stuff

The latest updates on the Knysna Fires are starting to look more positive… and there is hope on the horizon.

“The aftermath of last night’s fires” Knysna.

In an official update on Sunday the Western Cape Government said weather Conditions are improving along the Garden route

“Fire-fighters hit the ground running this morning as Day 5 of the Knysna Fire dawned. As cooler weather prevailed early today, fire commanders pushed to contain the fires around Knysna.

“The wide range of fire-fighting agencies were dispatched from the Incident Command centre in the Knysna Municipality, working closely with the Eden District Disaster Management centre.

“Last night, divisions held the line – holding the flames back – to protect the village of Rheenendal and Wit Lokasie settlement.

“Both areas were under threat during yesterday’s gale-force winds.

“Brenton-on-Sea was hit hard yesterday, with several more houses damaged.

“Aircraft were airborne shortly before 09h00 as the morning fog and smog lifted – both water-bombing choppers and fixed-wing spotter planes.

“With wind speeds dropping, conditions are improving for aerial support.

“The total fire line still stretches to more than 100km between Sedgefield and Plettenberg Bay, and the latest hotspots were identified for concerted attack this morning.

“Fortunately, the injuries to five fire-fighters reported yesterday have been confirmed as minor.

“Confirmed fatalities at this stage for the Eden district is six, including one firefighter.

“Fire commanders confirmed that no losses had been suffered in Buffel’s Bay, and some fires yesterday were deliberate “back-burns” to protect the town from runaway flames.

“A fire in the vicinity of Sedgefield remains a concern today.”

SAPeople contributor Ester Beukes, who lives in the area, said this morning: “Woke up at 3. Looked out my window: for the first time since Wednesday night, there is No Raging Fire AND NOT EVEN GLOW IN THE DISTANCE from our liitle Eastford/ Simola valley. Just flare up spots… and red and white flashing lights on Simola Hill, Climb road and Green Pastures road rushing to these spots. There’s still smoke from where farms and small holdings are or were…”