Kenya Fights Wildfires in Major Wildlife Reserves Amid Severe Drought
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Synopsis
Kenya is facing a severe drought, leading to wildfires in major wildlife parks. Emergency teams, including the Kenya Wildlife Service, are intensifying their efforts to combat these fires and protect biodiversity.
Key Takeaways
- Kenyan emergency teams are fighting wildfires in significant wildlife reserves.
- Active firefighting is ongoing at Nairobi National Park.
- The Aberdare National Park has also experienced wildfires this week.
- Collaboration with local communities is being strengthened.
- Robust inter-agency coordination is crucial in fire suppression.
Nairobi, March 1 (NationPress) Kenyan emergency teams, including defence forces and volunteers, have ramped up efforts to control fires that are spreading across some of the country's most significant wildlife reserves and protected regions.
An update from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), issued late on Friday in Nairobi, the capital city, indicated that the intense fires in various wildlife parks and biodiversity hotspots are associated with a severe dry spell.
Active firefighting operations are currently underway at Nairobi National Park, where two fires broke out on Thursday, according to KWS, which noted that water bowsers have been deployed to assist in extinguishing the flames.
In Aberdare National Park, situated in central Kenya, wildfires were reported earlier this week, leading KWS to send helicopters and ground teams to tackle the emergency, which has been attributed to the extremely dry weather affecting the region.
The Mount Kenya ecosystem, home to iconic wildlife such as elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes, has also been severely impacted by widespread fires, exacerbated by strong winds and dry vegetation.
“While the precise causes of the fires are still under investigation, human activities—including discarded cigarettes, arson, honey harvesting, and the prevailing dry conditions—are suspected factors,” KWS stated.
Destructive fires have also been reported at Ruma National Park in Homa Bay County, South Island National Park in Marsabit County, northern Kenya, and Mount Elgon National Park in western Kenya, near the Ugandan border, according to KWS.
“Rangers remain vigilant, coordinating further firefighting efforts to avert flare-ups,” KWS added.
The agency responsible for managing wildlife resources reported that it has enhanced aerial and ground patrols in biodiversity hotspots that are susceptible to fire outbreaks, as per Xinhua news agency.
Additionally, KWS stated that it has strengthened partnerships with local communities, devolved governments, and civil society organizations to enhance responses to fire outbreaks in wildlife sanctuaries.
According to KWS, robust inter-agency coordination has played a critical role in suppressing fires in ecologically sensitive wildlife reserves, while the agency intensifies vigilance and community engagement to reduce the risk of wildfires as the dry season in the country reaches its peak.
