The fires that have raged through the Garden Route are wreaking havoc in Knysna and George with firefighters still attempting to contain the blaze.

The Garden Route Municipality district issued an update on the fire status this morning, sharing there are numerous blazes that firefighters are attempting to contain in the East of Karatara and the Rheenendal areas.

A cellular tower in the area was damaged by the fire, causing havoc with communication between disaster management teams on the ground.

A large amount of alien vegetation in Kraaibosch is contributing extreme fire conditions as the plant produces high temperatures when burning.

De Vlugt Road towards Keurbooms has raised grave concern as it houses dense vegetation between residential and agricultural structures. Historically, numerous wildfires have spread in the area and caused exponential damage.

The Garden Route District Municipality has encouraged members of the community to evacuate their homes if their lives or infrastructure are being threatened by the blaze.

The municipality has issued the community there with clear evacuation plans.

“Knysna Municipality has produced an evacuation plan and will activate resources according to the plan when needed. Emergency responders will inform residents in the event that an emergency evacuation is required,” said the Garden Route District Municipality statement.

The fire continues to engulf the Tsitsikamma National Park and has damaged over 29 541 hectares of land.

Currently, the fire near the Stormsriver Lodge is so severe that locals have had to evacuate. The lodge is located at the edge of the Tsitsikamma National Park.

 

Picture: Working on Fire/ Tsitsikamma National Park.

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