Five years since the Knysna wildfires

KNYSNA NEWS - Exactly five years ago today, Knysna-Plett Herald reported thus:

“The N2 between Plettenberg Bay and Knysna will remain closed from both sides for the next three hours due to a veld fire near the Kruisfontein plantation (Knysna). 13 houses have been evacuated.

There are also two other fires raging in the Karatara/Sedgefield area. Emergency services are trying their best to manage with limited resources.

Provincial traffic officers are informing motorists travelling from George, Sedgefield and Port Elizabeth (at the tollgate) of the situation.”

Little did most people at that point grasp that this marked the start of the largest wildfire ever reported in South Africa.

Over the next few days, raging banks of flame and smoke would have a devastating effect on one of the most coveted environmental jewels of the famed Garden Route.

According to Cobus Meiring, convenor of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (Gref), the fires laid waste to more than 20 000ha that were burned to the ground over a four-day period.

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