Donations are being given to Garden Route residents who have been affected by the recent spate of fires in the area, but a statement issued by The Garden Route District Municipality warns the public about donation scams coming from individuals posing as municipality representatives.
The Garden Route District Municipality took to social media to alert people of the fraudulent behaviour, advising residents not to give donations to individuals requesting funds. It states that no municipality officials have been dispatched to ask for donations.
“The municipality did not send any officials to ask for money from residents. Please note that this is a SCAM,” said the Garden Route Municipality statement.
No money should be given to these individuals and residents are urged to report them to the South African Police Service.
Food donations can be made to the Knysna Fire Station or the Kitchen at the Sedgefield Municipal Office.
Raging fires
Over 4oo residents have been evacuated over the weekend due to the spreading Garden Route fires. The blaze has passed through Jonkersberg, Kransbos, Mossel Bay, and Outeniqua.
Working on Fire’s latest report states that firefighters are working hard to contain the rapidly spreading fires in the Jonkersberg, Noll and Kransbos areas.
#GardenRouteFires Update
The overall objectives remain the same, which is to ensure the safety of responders, community members and infrastructure. High priority areas for the evening include the Jonkersberg, Noll and Kransbos areas where there is an active fire spreading. pic.twitter.com/7ZSRFMrwFR
— Working on Fire (@wo_fire) November 4, 2018
A ‘firenado’ engulfed the Garden Route area in the De Vlugt area during the weekend, burning dense and old vegetation.
GardenRouteFires
?FIRENADO ?There are six major wildfires in the Garden Route at the moment.
? DE VLUGT WILDFIRE – The wildfire is burning in extremely dense and old vegetation, which makes effective wildfire fighting virtually impossible. pic.twitter.com/b7g5rYZcW8
— Working on Fire (@wo_fire) November 3, 2018
Along with the Garden Route evacuations, 40 individuals have been removed from the Buffelsnek area and safely taken to the Wittedrift school. Over 2oo individuals in the Diepvalle community were on high alert to be evacuated.
40 people from Buffelsnek are currently being housed at the Wittedrift school. Approximately 300 members of the Diepvalle community have been placed on HIGH ALERT to be evacuated to the Hornlee community hall should the wind direction change back to a northerly direction. #Fire pic.twitter.com/gA3odqOjox
— Working on Fire (@wo_fire) November 3, 2018
The weather conditions in the Garden Route have now become conducive to mopping up activities and could result in an increase of containment areas.
Status of fires:
1. Herold to George: No threats at this point as fires have been well-contained. The southern line fires in Jonkersberg and Groeneweide Farm have not joined yet. Blazes in northern areas near Highlands lodge have been contained.
2. Buffelsnek to George: Active fires are being controlled on the Goudveld hot lines. Areas are being mopped up and contained.
3. De Vlugt: Fires are still active.
Picture: Twitter/ Working On Fire
