What the Wildfires in Namibia's Biggest National Park Mean for Locals, Travelers, and Animals

"On the evening of Monday, September 22, the western plains of Namibia's Etosha National Park stood thick and healthy in the fading light. The rainy season had been substantial this year, and as a result, vegetation had grown lush. But in Namibia, a land of salt pans and deserts, where arid-adapted elephants and rare black rhino roam, a turn of events like this can have adverse consequences. "Namibia is naturally fire-prone, with dry savanna and strong winds," explains Julian Carter-Manning, the founder of Yellow Zebra safari operator. "After a good rainy season, abundant grasses can create the perfect fuel.""

"All told, the flames inside Etosha National Park raged until September 30, scorching some 2.1 million acres or just under 40% of the park's land mass. Thankfully, no human casualties have been reported, and because the flames burned in the less-habituated, western reaches of the park, which is as big as half the size of Switzerland, no lodges have been impacted. It's important to remember that while these fires were likely human-induced-investigations are ongoing-wildfires are a natural part of a savanna ecosystem."

Wildfires ignited on September 22 and again two days later, burning until September 30 and scorching about 2.1 million acres—just under 40% of Etosha National Park. The blazes affected mainly the park's less-habituated western reaches, leaving lodges intact and causing no reported human casualties. A strong rainy season produced abundant grasses that, combined with Namibia's naturally fire-prone dry savanna and winds, created fuel for rapid fire spread. While wildfire is an essential disturbance in savanna ecosystems, human-caused or recklessly started fires can spread uncontrolled, threaten infrastructure and wildlife, and delay full vegetation regrowth for years. Investigations into the likely human-induced origins are ongoing.

Read at Conde Nast Traveler