Fires ravage Garden Route

WARNING: GOOD CHANCE OF FLAREUPS

Many residents were evacuated from their homes.

The Outeniqua Pass remained open late yesterday afternoon, while critical areas were being assessed by the district road engineer for the possibility of landslides and soil erosion due to the ongoing fires outside George in the Western Cape.

Residents were evacuated from their homes in certain areas earlier this week.

Motorists on Outeniqua Pass were warned to proceed with caution and be aware of possibility of falling rocks and trees following fires and gale-force winds.

In the immediate George area, teams continued with cleaning up fire lines and the public was warned there was a good chance of periodic flareups and continuous smouldering fires creating smoke.

The Garden Route Disaster Management Centre monitored and tracked fires along the Garden Route, while ground teams maintained the perimeters of critical areas.

The death toll from the fire was eight at the time of going to print. – Caxton News Service

Pictures: George Herald ABLAZE. Many residents were evacuated from their homes, left, as disaster management teams battled to contain the runaway fires in the George area.