Namibia deploys army to fight fire in one of Africa's largest reserves

"Namibia has deployed more than 500 soldiers to help fight a fire that has burned through a third of the vast Etosha National Park, one of Africa's largest wildlife reserves, Prime Minister Tjitunga Ngurare Manongo said in a social media post. Manongo said, starting Sunday, the troops would help firefighters, police, and volunteers who are already fighting the raging fire."

"The park in the north of the largely desert nation is home to 114 species of mammals, including the critically endangered black rhinoceros, and is a major tourist attraction. The fire started on September 22 and spread rapidly because of strong winds and dry vegetation, causing extensive ecological damage, Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and the presidency said. The ministry has announced it has closed certain tourist routes and warned visitors to be cautious as the wind direction could change unpredictably."

"After an emergency cabinet meeting on Saturday, the government also deployed two helicopters to the area on Sunday to help firefighting efforts, the presidency said in a statement. The reinforcements joined 40 soldiers who had arrived on Saturday to assist police, locals and people from nearby farms and private enterprises who had already been fighting the flames, it said. The extra troops are deployed from various regions and will be deployed to all affected areas, Defence Minister Frans Kapofi told the AFP news agency."

Wildfire has burned through one third of Etosha National Park, destroying approximately 30 percent of grazing and spreading into communal areas. The blaze began on September 22 and spread rapidly because of strong winds and dry vegetation. More than 500 soldiers have been deployed to assist firefighters, police, volunteers and earlier reinforcements including 40 soldiers and two helicopters. The park houses 114 mammal species, including the critically endangered black rhinoceros. Certain tourist routes are closed and visitors are warned about unpredictable wind shifts. An unknown number of wildlife have been killed; no human casualties have been reported. The fire threatens biodiversity and local livelihoods.

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