Aberdare forest wildfires persist with over 40,000 Acres already destroyed
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Aberdare forest wildfires persist for the past week with over 40,000 Acres already destroyed
Aberdare forest wildfires persist for the past week with over 40,000 Acres already destroyed.
A wildfire has been ravaging the Aberdare National Park for over a week, destroying approximately 40,000 hectares of the park.
The fire, which started on February 6, has been identified as an illegal human activity, and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is making follow-ups to bring the culprits to justice.
Addressing the media on Friday, KWS Assistant Director of Mountain Conservation Bakari Mungumi noted that the wildlife agency, in collaboration with Kenya Forest Service officials from Nyeri and Nyandarua counties as well as Kenya Pipeline and Rhino Arch officials, have jointly sent out more than 200 personnel to battle the infernos.
Mr. Mungumi also added that two KWS officials passed away in an accident on their way to fight the deadly forest fires.
The Aberdare is the third-highest mountain range, reaching a summit of just over 4,000 metres.
The forest fires have caused significant damage to the Aberdare moorlands, which has a significant impact on the ability of the area to hold more water to release into the rivers.
KWS acting director general Erustus Kanga warned that the economic impact of the fires in the Aberdare and Mt Kenya Forests would have a ripple effect on the rest of the country.
“The drying up and lack of water from the Aberdares is a threat to the county’s economy,” he said.
The wildfires were reported on Monday, February 6, in the Aberdare moorlands and are yet to be contained.
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On February 9, Rhino Ark announced that two fire lines of 6.5km and four kilometres were moving fast to the north and the south of the moorland, respectively.
In the first 24 hours after it was first reported, the Arbedares Forest fire destroyed some 8,500 acres of moorland vegetation.
On February 10, the Rhino Ark said the Aberdares, South Western Mau forest and Eburru Forest were currently facing devastating wildfires.
By February 11, Rhino Ark said the fire had erupted at Nyatoru Valley heading towards the fence and rangers and the community were trying to control it under the rough terrain around the Kahuho area.
On Saturday, February 11, the fire in the northern moorlands of Aberdare was said to be spreading, with two fire lines moving in opposite directions.
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