CAPE TOWN, June 8 (Xinhua) -- At least four people have been killed as wildfires continued to rage in Knysna, about 600 kilometers east of Cape Town, authorities said on Thursday.
Fanned by gale winds, the fires have swept through Knysna along the scenic Garden Route since Wednesday, destroying hundreds of houses and forcing the evacuation of more than 4,000 people, Knysna Fire Chief Clint Manuel said.
Several fires have been reported in and around the town.
"We are still fighting the fire within the town area as well as the fire that has passed the town. We have resources from as far as Cape Town. Currently we are trying to make all areas safe and the fire is not under control," Manuel said.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has dispatched helicopters to help about 400 firefighers on the ground, but the helicopters were unable to reach Knysna blaze scene.
Gale force winds were preventing the helicopters from joining the 400 firefighters, the SANDF said.
Additional emergency and rescue officials have been deployed to the scene in a bid to contain the fires.
In other areas along the Garden Route, fires were also raging, leaving many properties damaged.
The fires coincided with a severe storm that has lashed the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Province since Tuesday night.
Cape Town has reported five deaths in relation to the storm that hasn't been seen in three decades.
Also on Thursday, President Jacob Zuma extended his deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the storm that engulfed the Western Cape.
"Our hearts go out to those who have also lost their belongings including their homes. Such natural disasters always strike the poor more than most," Zuma said.
The drought-stricken Western Cape remains in dire need of rain, but the storms "are definitely not what we need right now as they cause more havoc than solutions," Zuma said.
"The pain is immeasurable," he added.
The City of Cape Town has launched a donation campaign for those in need of help.
Donations of non-perishable food, water, clothing, blankets and toiletry items were needed, said JP Smith, a mayoral committee member in charge of safety, security and social services.
