FIREFIGHTERS were by 8am today (February 10) still battling fires raging in the Garden Route although Eden District fire chief Annelize Lamprecht said lower temperatures and cloud cover were providing some relief.

The heat wave that plagued the area since the weekend has broken and temperatures are set to peak in the early 20s with a slight possibility of rain.

“Knysna is a lot better although we are a bit concerned about the western flank, but at this stage we have the fire contained and we have more people on the ground,” she said of the fires in Phantom Pass and Rheenendal area.

The Homtini fire was their “biggest concern” as it was moving northwards over the mountain to Noll and threatening a private plantation.

A new lightning fire has stared in the Kamanasie mountain area.

The fires in Plettenberg Bay at Fisantekraal and The Crags had been contained and firefighters would spend the day building fire breaks.

Lamprecht said Harlem town had been saved and the fire had moved away. “It’s looking good for us there,” she said.

The Still Bay fire was also under control.