Knysna High School at Heart of Fire Fighting Efforts as Crews Keep Spirits Up After Losing 1 of Their Own

The heart of the action in Knsyna today is at the Knysna High School Sports Ground where firefighting and rescue crews wait to be deployed, and where –  on Saturday afternoon, just after 13h00 – residents from Brenton have also been instructed by the Knysna Municipality to evacuate to immediately.

SAPeople contributor ESTER BEUKES captured photos at the school on Saturday morning – illustrating the vast network of emergency response teams who continue to tirelessly tackle the fires in the Eden district around Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.

As is typical in South Africa, volunteer firefighting crews are keeping their spirits up by singing (seen above with Gift of the Givers management)… especially after having tragically lost one of their own this week.

Bradley Richards, who served as a volunteer firefighter for the local Fire Protection Association and Bitou Fire department, sustained injuries to 70% of his body in the line of duty on Thursday.

Western Cape Government said another firefighter has been hospitalised with 50% burns.

Waterbombing helicopter

Currently all aerial resources have been grounded, as the wind – at 97 km/hour is too strong to safely use them, according to Disaster Management manager, Gerhard Otto. However, Knysna Municipality has confirmed that a helicopter is preparing to drop water, surgical masks and asthma medication for those affected in Buffalo Bay.

Helicopter Crew

Servicing the helicopter before next flight

Pick ‘n Pay off loading

Working with Fire trucks waiting to be deployed

Ester says the Community Policing Forum from the Cape have been manning and controlling the gate at the sports ground. “Thank you Mr Dan Plato for dispatching your Community Police to assist!”

Army (South African National Defence Force)

Army spotter helicopter

Firefighting volunteers arriving after their shift

Firefighting volunteers have been incredible at offering their services around the country. This morning this photo went viral of an unemployed man in Durban who is a trained firefighter, Lloyd Williams, trying to get to Knysna. The good news is – he apparently did get a flight!

Yesterday, SAPeople contributor Stan Sanetra captured this photo that’s gone viral of volunteers at OR Tambo International Airport… taking Kulula Airlines up on their offer for free flights to Knysna from Joburg to fight the raging flames.

Welcoming the volunteers:

https://www.facebook.com/wofire/videos/1505457989524833/