Wildfires continue to destroy hundreds of hectares of grazing land in the Dâures constituency as emergency teams and communities battle to contain the blaze.
The fight to put out the blaze has been ongoing for weeks. However, efforts have been challenged by dry, windy weather, which has caused the wildfire to spread rapidly.
Dâures constituency councillor Inecia Brandt, in a press release issued yesterday, says they are relentlessly coordinating emergency response efforts to address the ongoing wildfires.
She adds that these wildfires have drastically affected grazing lands, communal livelihoods, and residents across the constituency.
“This wildfire requires coordinated action, practical support, and sustained cooperation among all stakeholders. Hence, recent coordinated actions have helped to quench the wildfires,” Brandt says.
“More resources have been deployed to suppress the active fires threatening the constituency.
Furthermore, due to the scale of the crisis, the Erongo Regional Council successfully secured the intervention of the Namibian Air Force, whose assistance has been instrumental in supporting containment efforts and protecting affected communities,” she says.
She adds that they have also maintained ongoing coordination with local farmers, traditional authorities, and volunteers to manage the response on the ground.
“In order to strengthen our long-term wildfire resilience, we will continue working with the regional emergency and disaster risk management committee to reinforce established community fire squads across all villages in the constituency.
“This initiative will accelerate the provision of comprehensive training, essential fire-suppression equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
We will also roll out community engagements on firebreaks and disaster prevention,” Brandt says.
She urges residents to remain vigilant and report smoke sightings immediately to emergency teams by contacting 081 421 1687.
Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister of environment and tourism Likando Liwela on Monday called for urgent government action to combat the wildfires in the constituency.
Liwela said the current emergency response is insufficient, adding that communities have largely been left to confront the disaster with limited resources while awaiting assistance from authorities.
He pointed to the recent response to a wildfire in the Linyanti constituency, where coordinated efforts reportedly succeeded in bringing the blaze under control.
“Similar levels of urgency and resource mobilisation are now required at Dâures to prevent further environmental and economic damage,” he said.
He proposed that the regional directorate of disaster risk management deploy additional firefighting personnel and equipment to the constituency.
“Additionally, the authorities must provide immediate relief to affected residents and farmers and accelerate the development of adequately equipped rural fire brigades and wildfire preparedness systems in constituencies considered vulnerable to wildfires.
“The recurring wildfire incidents across Namibia have exposed shortcomings in the country’s preparedness and response mechanisms, particularly in rural areas,” he said.
