Fires in South  Africa

Wildfires have devastated the Western and Southern Cape provinces of South Africa. Nine people have been killed (including two firefighters) and thousands are left homeless. Ten thousand people have been evacuated and over a thousand fire fighters are working to halt the fires. The fires, being described as the worst on record for the region, began following the worst storm the region has experienced in thirty years, during the worst drought the Western Cape has experienced in over a century. At one point the fire line stretched for 100km, but after four days of work the fires were successfully contained on June 11. Nevertheless, residents have been advised not to return to their homes until authorities have completed damage assessments and confirmed that it is safe. Particularly affected is the town of Knysna, where almost 500 buildings have been destroyed.