Wildfire in Etosha National Park under control

Around 540 soldiers from the Namibian army, over 60 nature conservation officials and 20 farmers have brought a huge bush fire in Etosha National Park under control. This is according to press releases from the government and an interview with the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), Indileni Daniel.

"The fire is now contained, and there were no visible fires as we flew over," Daniel said yesterday after a flyover of Etosha National Park (see report by the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation). Areas where the wind could reignite the fire were being monitored.

According to MEFT the bush fire spread to the southwestern part of Etosha National Park on Monday last week – "due to suspected charcoal production activities on bordering commercial farms." The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Strong winds fanned the flames and drove them northwards and eastwards. The Namibian winter months of June, July and August are the dry season in central and northern Namibia. Grass and shrubs are bone dry.

According to the Ministry of Environment, more than 775,000 hectares (7,750 km²) have fallen victim to the flames. With a total area of around 22,270 km² (see article on Wikipedia), this corresponds to more than 34 per cent. No people were harmed.

The extent of the loss to nature is to be determined in the coming days. Etosha National Park is home to elephants, lions, giraffes and other antelopes, as well as the endangered black rhinos.

September marks the end of the dry season. Fires often occur naturally as a result of lightning strikes during the first thunderstorms. The rain that follows brings fresh vegetation. Now the Namibians are hoping for the first rains.

Sven-Eric Stender