He said fires had caused devastation in the region in the past two months and were still continuing in the western and south-eastern areas.

Kayone told a press conference at Outapi that veld fires had disrupted the survival system and food security for animals and people alike, and adversely affected the socio-economic fabric of the region.

He said the fires had destroyed vast tracts of grazing, mahangu fields and considerable numbers of livestock.

"Luckily, so far no loss of human life has been reported," the Governor said.

He said the loss of grazing was a great setback after the good rains of the last season, which helped grazing pastures to recover.

Kayone said the Regional Council had mobilised volunteers from the community and the security forces to fight the fires, with limited success.

"I salute the men and women from all walks of life in the Omusati Region for shouldering the daunting task of rescuing the regional habitat from destruction," Kayone said.

However, he added, the extent of the problem outweighed the region's capacity to respond

Local News Headlines Of The Last 48 Hours

•  'DRC refugee' arrested at airport
•  Keetmanshoop grapples with debt, at odds with Receiver
•  Namibia plagued by gender-based violence
•  'Struggle Kids' are happy campers
•  Teachers 'plot to kill' principal
•  Zero tolerance for road hogs
•  Nujoma Foundation raises N$300 000 at gala dinner
•  Young man sent to jail for killing older brother
•  Three die in lorry crash
•  Henties Bay 'in a mess'
•  High Court upholds labour-hire ban
•  Oshakati nervously eyes the sky
•  Shamil Dirk's graft case postponed again
•  ACC nabs Otavi Village Council CEO
•  Justice driver accused of looting
•  Job equity has improved
•  Ombudsman complains about Justice Ministry
•  New plan for Cuvelai Basin
•  APP postpones congress
•  Zim to ignore tribunal ruling
•  Immigration locks up SA journalist
•  Youth gets four years for rape
•  Swapo closes ranks