Parts of Garden Route evacuated as wildfires spread

Another fire, which is believed to have started over the weekend, was burning in the mountains in the Karatara area – just outside Knysna – but by Monday morning was deemed under control.

George Municipality spokesman Chantel Edwards-Klose said residents in Golden Valley in the Blanco informal settlement area and Stepaside vicinity - on the outskirts of George - were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

By 1pm, residents in Fernridge, Heatherlands and Glenbarrie were also told to evacuate.

By 2pm, another alert was sent out for voluntary evacuations to take place in all suburbs bordering the bush.

“Residents living on the borders of the town and forest are requested to voluntarily evacuate their homes due to danger of smoke inhalation. The fire remains active on the slopes,” Edwards-Klose said.

At 3pm, officials confirmed that one building was on fire in Fernridge area.

She added that police and traffic officials were assisting with the evacuation while Go George buses had been sent to assist with moving residents to Town Hall.

Tourists were also urged to delay their trip.

“Due to current smokey conditions in and around George, it is recommended that people planning to visit George in the next day or two delay their visit,” Edwards-Klose said.

Fancourt – which is close to the Blanco area – marketing manager Michelle van der Westhuizen said staff living in the evacuation affected areas were sent home to ensure the safety of their families.

“As further precaution, all three golf courses, The Outeniqua, Montagu and The Links have been closed until further notice. All action taken so far is for precautionary reasons, and no one should panic.”

South African Breweries – who also have offices and hop farms in the vicinity – spokesperson Azure Janneker said two hop farms situated in Herold had been affected in varying degrees by the fires.

“There has, however, been no damaging to housing on the farms None of our employees have needed to be evacuated for the time being.”

With regards to the Karatara fire, Edwards-Klose said it was currently contained.

“Due to the heavy smoke, helicopters are not able to fly [so] no water bombing can be done at this stage,” she said.

Edwards-Klose said the SA National Defence Force Oryx helicopter was also stationed at the George Airport in the event that additional air support is needed.

Garden Route National Park spokesperson Nandi Mgwadlamba said the Karatara fire was on the mountains far away from residents and property.

This fire comes in the wake of two others along the Garden Rouet last week, both of which have since been extinguished.

The Vermaaklikheid fire, which started on October 21, saw about 500km² of land destroyed while firefighters spent five days getting it under control.

Working on Fire pilot Nico Heyns, 65, was killed in a helicopter crash about 40km from Riversdale.

Two days later another fire had started in the Tsitsikamma area, in the Lottering plantation in Storms River, bordering the Garden Route National Park.

By Sunday, the Otter Trail – which had been closed – was reopened.

On Monday, MTO area manager Thinus Kok estimated that about 600km² of vegetation had been damaged.

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