A 63-year-old man from Concordia in Knysna has become the latest victim of the fire ravaging the Garden Route.
In a statement early Saturday evening, the Western Cape Department of Local Government said that this brought the number of confirmed fatalities in the Garden Route to six.
“An additional five people have been evacuated to hospital with serious injuries and their condition remains serious,” said Department spokesperson, James Brent-Styan.
He said “the fire line in the Eden district currently extends over an area of roughly 100 kilometers.”
“In the Knysna area the following areas were being evacuated at 18h00:
Ruigtevlei; Concordia and Wit lokasie,” he said.
Brent-Styan said that a number aircraft grounded due to strong winds during the day, were brought into into action Saturday afternoon when the wind died down.
“There are eleven aircraft on scene including three SANDF Oryx helicopters and four Working on Fire helicopters. An additional bomber fixed wing plane will arrive from Nelspruit tomorrow (SUN),” he said.
Earlier Saturday the fire jumped the N2 in direction of Buffalo Bay.
Residents were evacuated to the local community hall before the fire was contained.
In the Bitou Municipality at Plettenberg Bay, Brent-Stayn said that the fire at Jakkalskraal, Roodefontein, Kranshoek and Jukani had spread towards Plettenberg Bay airfield, but was subsequently been contained.
The Western Cape Department of Health has sent four additional doctors to assist at Knysna.
“Additional oxygen masks and cylinders have been provided. A 24hr medical facility has been opened at Plettenberg Bay. The Department of Health is investigating the opening up of the clinic in Plettenberg Bay but is dependent on the access to the clinic as well as the situation,” he said.
The South African Weather Services said that Sunday will be partly cloudy and cool with moderate north-westerly winds (10-20 km/h). No rain is expected for the region on Sunday.