The blaze was further fanned by strong winds and fuelled by drought, topography, heavy fuel - vegetation - and berg winds, according to the findings of the official forensic investigation into the cause and origin of the fires.
Knysna fire chief Clinton Manual, who conducted the investigation, released a report on his findings at the town’s council chambers yesterday.
Manual, who has been involved in a number of similar high-profile investigations over the past 25 years, said that his investigation was based on science and that he found clear indications that both blazes were as a result of man-made fires.
The evidence included pine cones - likely used as fire lighters - stacked materials like planks, and signs of human habitation like broken pottery and nails.
“The reason we say that the pine cones were used as firelighters is that there are no pine trees in the area we identified as the origin. It was definitely brought in,” Manual said.
Manual said the fire which started in Kruisfontein was also likely man-made as they found evidence of a homeless person
living in the area.
Knysna municipal manager Kam Chetty, said personal losses, in terms of properties, was estimated at R5 billion, while infrastructure damage was estimated just short of R500 million.