Perilous
Times and Climate Change
Strong winds aggravate Kenya forest fires
Written By:Elizepher Maroa/KNA, Posted: Fri, Feb 11, 2011
Strong winds continued to hamper efforts by the Kenya Forest
Services (KFS) rangers to contain raging fires in Rumuruti and
Ndaragwa forests.
Laikipia Zonal Forest Manager Mr. William Cheptoo and his
Nyandarua counterpart Mr. Benjamin Kinyili expressed their
frustration in containing the forest infernos saying over 500
hectares of grassland, bushes, plantation and indigenous forests
had been extensively damaged in the two forests since the start of
the fires a week ago.
"The fires have continued to spread despite efforts by our rangers
and members of the public to put them out.
We are now getting worried since the blazes are spreading first"
Mr. Kinyili said. Confirming the incident, Kinyili said the fires
erupted on Thursday afternoon at Leshau forest area in Nyandarua
North district and had by Friday spread to other parts of Ndaragwa
forest on the edge of Lake Ol Bolossat in neighbouring Nyandarua
West district.
Mr. Cheptoo said his men were working round the clock to contain
the fires which had now spread to all parts of the mainly
indigenous forest in three divisions of Ng'arua, Rumuruti and Ol
Moran in Laikipia West district.
The government last month issued a fire alert owing to the
prevailing dry spell.
The forests affected are also home to an array of wildlife whose
survival is in jeopardy now as the fires continue to decimate
their natural habitats and fodder.
Meanwhile, a senior deputy director of the Kenya Wildlife Service
has sent out an urgent appeal to the public to support efforts to
put out an enormous forest fire currently consuming Onturiri
forest in Buuri District.
According to Emilio Mugo, the fire that begun Thursday has gone
out of control despite efforts by the Kenya Forest Service, KWS,
members of the community, and Mount Kenya Safari Club employees.
Mugo appealed to members of the public to congregate at the Buuri
District Headquarters located at Timau bordering Nanyuki from
where they will be transported to the forest.
The site of the fire can also be accessed through Mt. Kenya Safari
club.