The number and intensity of unwanted wildland fires in South and Southern Africa has increased significantly in the past several years. Many of these fires have been either major or catastrophic, and have resulted in deaths, loss of livestock, negative impacts on the environment, and economic costs. The worst wildfires recorded to date swept through parts of Southern Cape in June 2017. The town of Knysna and its surrounding areas were severely affected by these devastating fires. Sadly, seven peoplewere killed, more than 1,000 structures were destroyed, and 500 houses were damaged in this event. Thousands of people were evacuated, with 1,533 families and 134 businesses being negatively affected, and critical infrastructure such as power lines weredamaged or destroyed.
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