WINDHOEK, Namibia — A devastating wildfire that scorched more than a third of Namibia’s flagship Etosha National Park has been brought under control, Environment Minister Indileni Daniel announced on Monday, capping an eight-day battle against flames that threatened one of Africa’s most important wildlife refuges.
The massive blaze, which erupted on 22 September in the southwestern section of the park, consumed approximately 775 163 hectares – nearly 1.9 million acres or 34 percent of the reserve -before firefighting crews finally gained the upper hand. The fire spread with alarming speed through the parched landscape, driven by high winds and tinder-dry vegetation that has gripped the largely arid southern African nation.
“The fire is now contained,” Daniel told the state-run Namibia Broadcasting Corporation during an aerial survey of the affected area Monday afternoon. “There was no visible fire as we flew over, but there are some places that have got fires on and off.”
The Namibian government mobilised a major emergency response, deploying more than 500 soldiers on Sunday to reinforce exhausted firefighting crews. Military helicopters and water tankers were rushed to the scene as authorities worked around the clock to prevent the fire from consuming even more of the 22 270-square-kilometer park.
Investigators believe the fire originated at a charcoal production site, though a full investigation into its cause is ongoing. The Environment Ministry described the ecological damage as extensive, with thousands of square kilometers of critical wildlife habitat reduced to ash.
The full toll on the park’s renowned wildlife population remains unclear. Preliminary reports confirm at least nine antelopes perished in the flames, while Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila disclosed that an elephant was also killed. However, officials caution that the actual number of animal casualties could be significantly higher once damage assessments are completed across the vast burned area.
Etosha National Park stands as one of Namibia’s crown jewels and a cornerstone of the country’s vital tourism industry. Located in the north of the country, the reserve is home to 114 mammal species, including populations of critically endangered black rhinoceros. The park’s centerpiece is the ancient Etosha salt pan, a massive basin stretching 130 kilometers long and 50 kilometers wide that attracts enormous flocks of migratory flamingoes during the rainy season.
Despite the containment, the fight is far from over. Minister Daniel said firefighting teams will remain stationed throughout the park to monitor for flare-ups and prevent the fire from reigniting.
“We have noticed some new fires at one spot only, the team has been already dispatched,” she said, underscoring the continued vigilance required in the coming days.
The wildfire represents one of the most significant environmental disasters to strike Namibia’s protected areas in recent years, raising questions about fire prevention measures and the impacts of increasingly severe drought conditions on the country’s fragile ecosystems. As one of Africa’s largest game reserves and a major tourist destination, Etosha’s recovery will be closely watched by conservationists and tourism officials alike.
Park officials have not yet announced when affected areas will reopen to visitors or provided estimates for how long the ecosystem will require to recover from the extensive damage.
