Tributes for 8 killed in fires
More evacuations carried out
SANParks says the eight people killed in the Garden Route fires were family of its retired employees.
Thirteen staff houses were burnt down in a staff settlement called Rooikraal, along with five staff houses in another settlement at Beervlei.
The 75 people rendered homeless were being accommodated by SANParks.
While rainfall on Tuesday night brought much relief, 593 firefighters and volunteers were still on the ground assisting with mopping up fire lines and monitoring for periodic flare-ups.
SANParks acting chief executive Lize McCourt said: “We extend our condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in the fires and we will continue to support them in this trying time.”
SANParks said about 5 000 hectares of fynbos within the national park were destroyed.
Acting Environmental Affairs Minister Derek Hanekom visited the region to meet the victims and assessed the fire damage, further pledging his support to the ongoing firefighting operation.
The Outeniqua Hiking Trail remained closed and the Otter Trail was being assessed daily to monitor the impact of smoke inhalation on hikers.
Evacuations were conducted in the Storms River Village, located close to the Tsitsikamma section of the park. Members of the community were evacuated to the SANParks sports field in Storms River Village.
Areas close to Goudveld, including Bibby’s Hoek, were also evacuated by the Joint Operating Committee.
Meanwhile two million bees w ere rescued by the Gift of the Givers “Bee” Team, said founder Imtiaz Sooliman.
Hives were extracted from the Botanical Gardens and Nelson Mandela University in George and relocated to the Gift of the Givers Bee Rehabilitation Centre in Knysna.
“While fire was approaching the team rescued 10 bee colonies (700 000 bees).
“The bee team then travelled 600km for 39 hours and have identified another 100 beehives that will require relocation due to the absence of forage in the 88 000 hectares of burnt vegetation.”
Sooliman said their “human” team also provided food, hygiene packs and water to 1000 affected persons in Hornlee, Brenton, Rheenendal, Buffels Bay, Karatara, Sedgefield, Ebb-and-Flow and Bergplaas.
SANParks encouraged members of the public to donate non-perishables, clothes, blankets, pillows and shoes.
Goods can be delivered to Ebband-Flow Rest Camp reception, Wilderness, or the Knysna office on Thesen Island.
Monetary donations could also be made by contacting the George Municipality: rharmse@george.gov.za