KWS issues update after fire breaks out at Nairobi National Park
KWS says the Nairobi National Park fire still active, 5 more parks affected due to dry conditions
KWS says the Nairobi National Park fire still active, 5 more parks affected due to dry conditions.
Nairobi National Park is battling multiple wildfires as emergency teams work to contain blazes across six protected areas, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said Saturday, March 1.
While issuing an update on the wildfires, KWS attributed the outbreaks to the prolonged dry season, which has increased the risk of further outbreaks.
According to KWS, two fires erupted in Nairobi National Park on Thursday. The first, near Wilson Airport along the Southern Bypass, was swiftly contained in collaboration with Nairobi County authorities.
However, a second fire in the Athi Basin Dam area, reported at pm on Friday, remains active. “Firefighters, including KWS personnel, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), volunteers, and county emergency teams, are battling to bring it under control,” said KWS.
The fires have disrupted nearby transport routes, with Kenya Railways confirming a 40-minute delay to the Madaraka Express Passenger Service on Friday night due to a fire near the railway between Nairobi Terminus and Athi River.
In a statement, KWS identified five other national parks affected by ongoing or recent wildfires: the Aberdare Ecosystem, Ruma National Park, South Island National Park, Mt Elgon National Park, and Tsavo West National Park.
Aberdare National Park has seen one of the largest fires, with flames between Karuru Falls and Elephant Hill prompting air and ground interventions. KWS said three smaller fires in Embaringo, Wanjohi, and Gatare had been extinguished earlier in the week.
In western Kenya, a fire in Ruma National Park’s Nyoyo area that broke out Thursday evening is still burning. “Teams are poised to mobilise at first light to suppress the blaze before temperatures rise,” KWS said, noting that rapid containment remained a priority.
At South Island National Park in Marsabit County, a bushfire that started on February 17 burnt approximately 60 square kilometres before being put out after four days. Rugged terrain and strong winds complicated efforts, according to KWS.
Mt Elgon National Park saw a fire break out in Kimothon Forest near Saum, threatening vital bamboo forests. KWS and Kenya Forest Service (KFS) rangers managed to suppress the flames, though patrols remain on high alert for possible flare-ups.
While Tsavo West National Park also saw fires on Thursday, KWS confirmed they have been fully contained.
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The causes of the fires remain under investigation, but KWS pointed to human activities such as discarded cigarettes, arson, and honey harvesting as potential triggers. The agency also cited extreme dry conditions as a contributing factor.
“The current dry season has made our ecosystems highly vulnerable to fire,” KWS said.
According to the Kenya Meteorological Department’s December 2024 outlook, below-average rainfall was forecast for southeastern and northeastern Kenya, increasing the likelihood of prolonged dry spells. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) also warned of worsening drought conditions in East Africa.
KWS outlined several strategies to prevent further outbreaks, including enhanced aerial and ground patrols, rapid deployment of firefighting units, improved collaboration with communities and local governments, and the creation of firebreaks in high-risk areas.
“Collaborative efforts remain crucial in safeguarding Kenya’s ecosystems and wildlife,” KWS said, thanking KDF, KFS rangers, volunteers, and county agencies for their support. The agency urged residents and visitors to adhere to fire safety directives, avoid activities that could spark fires, and report any fire hazards immediately via their emergency hotline.
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