Evacuations underway in Knysna as Garden Route fire rages

[Richprins]

Strongs, H.!

One of my colleagues also lost their family home down there...

[nan]

oups... lot of catastrophe

courage all...

[All-Nature]

Total devastation
My heart goes out to all who have been affected
Know so many people in Knysna, from when we lived there
Heartwarming to see how Knysna residence and emergency service have rallied together during this crisis situation!
They are ALL truly super STARS.

[Flutterby]

Devastation in Knysna: A Photo Survey

[Richprins]

CAPE TOWN - Strong winds continue to fan a fire in the Nelson Mandela Bay forcing the municipality to shut down the N2 to traffic.

Earlier students at the Woodridge College and Preparatory School were evacuated as a result of thick smoke. Some have gone to the local mall.

Four other fires that had been burning since Wednesday have been brought under control.

A blaze raging in the Van Stadens Gorge area is still spreading forcing the municipality to cut electricity connection in some parts.

Mayco member for safety and security John Best is on the scene of the fire.

“The wind has changed direction and there’s a lot of smoke in the area. At this stage there’s no threat to properties but there’s a lot of smoke. The N2 between Port Elizabeth and Jeffreys Bay has been closed because of the smoke.”

http://ewn.co.za/2017/06/10/strong-wind ... -n2-closed

[Richprins]

PE police to probe claims of arson in Nelson Mandela Bay
Eastern Cape | 9 June 2017, 11:23am
Raahil Sain
Port Elizabeth – Eastern Cape police were investigating claims on Thursday, that two men allegedly started fires in Nelson Mandela Bay. Earlier speculation rose after a voice note circulated on social media.

In the voice note a man could be heard saying that he had witnessed two men at Sardinia Bay Nature Reserve in Port Elizabeth carrying 5 litre petrol cans.

He went on to say that he chased the two men in the direction of Schoenmakerskop

http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/ ... ay-9670620

[H. erectus]

Strongs, H.!

Much appreciated Richard!! Best wishes to your colleague!!

Rich, life can be a bastard at best of times. So sad to witness
folk, almost at end of term, having to experience this kind
of turmoil!! I have yet to communicate with dear Sis,...

[Mel]

Momprins says some fires start when the wind blows electric cables down, or in informal settlements. wind is a big culprit!

Is this the official cause or a likely one?

And I wonder if that raging fire might also have to do with the drought? If that area is as dry as e.g. CPT

[PJL]

It's certainly in part due to the drought Mel. Strong winds have made many fires uncontrollable. I was helping a friend evacuate their smallholding on Friday due to the Sardinia Bay fires that RP mentioned... was all quite scary. And tragically today a friends grandmother perished in the fires over in Thornhill. Very sad times

[Lisbeth]

This is really terrible