Week-Long Fire at Namibia’s Etosha National Park Contained

Etosha National Park Fire Devastation....A massive fire that swept through nearly a third of Etosha National Park in Namibia has now been brought under control, according to Environment Minister Indeleni Daniel.

The blaze, which lasted for over a week, spread beyond the park’s boundaries and destroyed vast tracts of grazing land, scorching hundreds of thousands of hectares in areas stretching towards the Angolan border.

Etosha, one of southern Africa’s most iconic reserves, is famous for its vast salt pan that can be seen from space and is home to the critically endangered black rhino. At least nine antelope were confirmed dead as a result of the fires.

Cause and Response

Authorities believe the fire originated at a charcoal production site outside the park. Its rapid spread was fuelled by dry vegetation and strong winds, making firefighting efforts extremely difficult.

Namibia deployed helicopters and hundreds of soldiers to tackle the flames. While some isolated fires continued to burn, officials confirmed they were under control.

At an emergency meeting, it was decided to send more than 500 troops to assist local firefighters, police, and volunteers on the ground. Prime Minister Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare announced the reinforcements on X (formerly Twitter), while the presidency later confirmed that fires in the Oshikoto, Oshana, and Kunene regions had been contained.

Criticism and Concerns

Despite the eventual containment, the government faced criticism. Opposition MP Likando Rodrick accused the state of being ill-prepared and called for stronger long-term strategies to prevent similar disasters in the future.

Officials also warned that the biodiversity, wildlife, and local livelihoods remain under threat, with around 30% of Etosha’s grazing land destroyed. The full scale of the damage is still being assessed through aerial surveys.

The Importance of Etosha

Covering nearly 23,000 square kilometres, Etosha National Park is one of Africa’s largest and most celebrated reserves. It attracts around 200,000 visitors annually and is home to 114 species of mammals along with a wide array of birdlife, including flamingos and migratory species.

Experts note that while wildfires are a natural part of the savannah ecosystem and can play a role in maintaining ecological balance, they must be carefully managed to prevent devastating losses such as this.

Fortunately, no human lives were lost during the disaster.

📌 Source: Natasha Booty, BBC

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