Environment ministry allows public assistance as Etosha fire rages on

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has granted permission for an external team to help fight the fire currently raging at Etosha National Park.

This was after the ministry initially said it was relying on staff and troops from the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) only to put out the fire.

Parks deputy director Naambo Iipinge has confirmed that Veldbrande Namibia has been granted permission join the park’s teams on the ground.

“I grant permission for you and your team to enter Etosha to assist ground teams in suppressing the fire and protecting human and animal lives and key infrastructure,” the director said in a letter on Friday.

The veld fire started earlier this week after spreading from a nearby farm.

Dry conditions and strong winds caused the fire to move to the western side of the park.

Large areas of grazing land have already been destroyed.

Ministry spokesperson Ndeshipanda Hamunyela in a statement on Friday said the fire in the south-western part
of the park, within the Renostervlei block, was brought under control yesterday afternoon, although it is now headed west.

“A back-burning exercise around Olifantsrus was also successfully completed,
preventing further spread in that area.

“A dedicated team has been deployed to Dolomite, where a fire remains active east of the area and is slowly moving westwards,” she said.

In the southern section of the park, back-burning operations have proven effective and the fire was brought under control.

Another fire remains active between Olifantbad and the powerline to Halali, where teams are still working to contain it.

“Despite these efforts, it remains challenging to fully suppress the fires due to strong winds and
extremely dry vegetation.

“Thus far, no animal casualties have been confirmed. All efforts are
focused on extinguishing the fires and safeguarding the park’s wildlife, infrastructure, and grazing areas,” Hamunyela said.

She said the ministry commends the support received from members of the NDF and the police, as well as volunteers.

Their collective efforts are crucial in ensuring the
protection of human lives, wildlife, boreholes, patrol camps, and other critical infrastructure, she said.

The authorities have asked the public to be careful during this dry season, as the risk of veld fires is high.

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