Following the wildfires that ravaged the town of Knsyna, the Western Cape town’s water supply has been severely impacted by fire damages. The Knysna Municipality is urging people to conserve water and to keep up their water saving efforts. The fire has been contained and fire chief, Clinton Manuel says flare ups are being dealt with as soon as possible.
#SaveWater
We urgently request people to conserve water and thank them for their sterling efforts thus far.#KnysnaFire#OurKnysna pic.twitter.com/kcAt7XY2K6— KnysnaMunicipality (@KnysnaMuni) June 9, 2017
After the death of the family of three, a firefighter has died fighting the flames, while another is in hospital with 50% burn wounds. The official death toll in the Western Cape now stands at 10 people. A fund has been started to help assist the families of the firefighter who has passed away and other injured firefighters. Donate here.
Another firefighter is in hospital with 50% burn wounds. #KnysnaFire
— jody jacobs (@jody_jacobs) June 9, 2017
Over the last 48 hours, fires have been burning along the southern coast, with more than 400 firefighters from every town having responded to call over the last 24 hours.
#KnysnaFire Satellite scans from @MerakaAFIS show the fires extent currently and over the last 48 hours. Some areas seems to be burning less pic.twitter.com/mEyVpnyjFe
— VWS Wildfires (@vwsfires) June 8, 2017
The area has been declared a disaster area, with 10 000 residents evacuated amid the Knysna fires. Daylight has shown how much damage the fire has brought to some properties in the Knysna area.
#KnysnaFires Fire damage to some properties in the area. KB pic.twitter.com/3jwxRkgUst
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) June 9, 2017
Water bombs have been dropped by helicopters at the Knysna High School Sports field to bring hotspot areas under control.
#KnysnaFires Helicopters deployed to water bomb hotspot areas land at the Knysna High School Sports field. KB pic.twitter.com/qIEVCHWose
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) June 9, 2017
Relief aid has been provided by many companies and organisations across South Africa in support of those affected by the fire.
KFM Drive secures R2.5 million for #KnysnaFire relief
Good morning South Africa! Please facilitate your #KnysnaFire relief efforts via @WesternCapeGov‘s Caesar Sauls on: 079 932 4127 pic.twitter.com/J06BWnLnWj
— NationalCoGTA (@NationalCoGTA) June 9, 2017
Miss SA has urged South Africans to help her raise funds for those who have lost everything in the #KnysnaFire https://t.co/3DrG4zoyfa pic.twitter.com/fjnotGlQcs
— Lead SA (@lead_sa) June 9, 2017
#CapeRelief @awqafsa is donating R50 000 to the fund. Thank you. @Alimdaad @QariZiyaadPatel @Abramjee @yaseentheba pic.twitter.com/WWiFuYEIXC
— Operation SA (@OperationSA1) June 9, 2017
SAfricans are opening up their hearts & wallets to help thousands of people after #KnysnaFire #PlettFire & #CapeStorm. Are you helping? pic.twitter.com/o26o9hSx6m
— Uveka Rangappa (@UvekaR) June 9, 2017
#KnysnaFire UPDATE: The @NSPCA_SA Disaster Teams are finding many abandoned animals that are in distress. We are assisting them one by one pic.twitter.com/orVcA3DZYC
— NSPCA South Africa (@NSPCA_SA) June 9, 2017
As the #SanitaryTowelMovement we would like to assist young girls & women affected by #KnysnaFire. Drop off donations at Eden FM in George pic.twitter.com/XtnyYpAres
— Sphiwe Hobasi (@MrCow_man) June 9, 2017
With Saturday’s weather indicating a high Fire Risk Danger Index, the area is on high alert for possible flare-ups for the fire. Some people have already moved back into their homes, but don’t have any electricity. Around 300 telephone poles have been burned and destroyed, replacements are being sent in from other parts of the country.
The fires have moved on to Plettenberg Bay and have destroyed electrical lines, disconnecting power. Houses have been destroyed in Plettenberg Bay too.
Authorities are on site in Plettenberg Bay to try reconnect the other power. #PlettFire pic.twitter.com/1DGKbzAjyw
— jody jacobs (@jody_jacobs) June 9, 2017
#PlettFire A house overlooking the ocean in Kraanshoek completely gutted. Owners busy mopping up #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/L8sxu3MF0q
— Sphiwe Hobasi (@MrCow_man) June 8, 2017
The Knysna Municipality has sent out a list of emergency numbers for critical emergencies.
#KnysnaFire Please make use of the following numbers to report CRITICAL Emergencies only. pic.twitter.com/5WqamAZlny
— KnysnaMunicipality (@KnysnaMuni) June 9, 2017
Fires are currently burning in Pezula, Elandskraal and Homptin Pass. Water bombing is progressing in Elandskraal and Buffels Bay to alleviate further spreading.
Photography Unsplash
