Etosha fires finally extinguished

DEVASTATING bush fires that have raged in the western part of the Etosha National Park since last weekend have been extinguished, a farmer in the area said yesterday.

Renate Hoth, who has a hunting safari enterprise on the farm Robyn close to the park’s south-western border, said: “The fire was brought under control in mid-week and is now extinguished.” More than 200 000 hectares burnt down after lightning sparked the fires, which spread very fast because of strong winds.The fires spread to a few farms in the vicinity but the combined efforts of the farmers and their workers brought it under control.Environment and Tourism Minister Willem Konjore flew to the area yesterday to assess the situation.According to Steve Brain of Hobatere Lodge, which is situated opposite the western fence of Etosha along the Kamanjab-Ruacana road, the farm lost 5 000 hectares of grazing.”We lost no animals, thank goodness, but we had to fight the fire for 12 hours until four in the morning,” Brain told The Namibian yesterday.”I flew over the area today and all fires are out.”Brain said a 20-kilometre stretch of the scenic area close to the Ombonde River, adjacent to Hobatere, was also burnt.”There is no fence and the animals could flee to safety,” he said.The Namibian has reliably learnt that nature conservation officials could not do much about the Etosha fires, since they had no fuel for vehicles and the bulldozers were broken down.Radio equipment was also out of order, an official in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism at Okaukuejo said.No comment could be obtained on whether animals were burnt and had to be put down.The Etosha National Park will celebrate its centenary in March 2007.It was proclaimed a protected area for game in 1907 by former German colonial Governor Von Lindequist.More than 200 000 hectares burnt down after lightning sparked the fires, which spread very fast because of strong winds.The fires spread to a few farms in the vicinity but the combined efforts of the farmers and their workers brought it under control.Environment and Tourism Minister Willem Konjore flew to the area yesterday to assess the situation.According to Steve Brain of Hobatere Lodge, which is situated opposite the western fence of Etosha along the Kamanjab-Ruacana road, the farm lost 5 000 hectares of grazing.”We lost no animals, thank goodness, but we had to fight the fire for 12 hours until four in the morning,” Brain told The Namibian yesterday.”I flew over the area today and all fires are out.”Brain said a 20-kilometre stretch of the scenic area close to the Ombonde River, adjacent to Hobatere, was also burnt.”There is no fence and the animals could flee to safety,” he said.The Namibian has reliably learnt that nature conservation officials could not do much about the Etosha fires, since they had no fuel for vehicles and the bulldozers were broken down.Radio equipment was also out of order, an official in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism at Okaukuejo said.No comment could be obtained on whether animals were burnt and had to be put down.The Etosha National Park will celebrate its centenary in March 2007.It was proclaimed a protected area for game in 1907 by former German colonial Governor Von Lindequist.