Wildfire in Namibia is contained, says PM, after criticism of response | Namibia
Namibia’s government said that fires based on one of the largest national parks in Africa were under control.
The fire broke out on September 22 at the Etosha National Park in the north of Kurak Desert Nation. The government said he suspected of coal production next to the park, which hosts 114 mammals, including a critical danger of black rhinoceros.
On Saturday, the government said that 49 soldiers were deployed to fight fires and that 500 was more on Sunday. CT in question In the park, approximately one -third of its area was burned and more than 171,000 more 775,000 hectares.
Prime Minister Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare, “All fires contained / Mop-up and monitoring continues” published On Monday morning, the Facebook page lists 10 separate flames in the region.
However, Sean Nude, a businessman who runs Namibia Marshall Rangers, a group of rescue service volunteers, said that there were at least four “active fire”. He said: “The fires in the park are almost contained, but it was not extinguished and others working from the park still came out of control. But there is not much to burn in the park.”
He criticized the government for not coordinating earlier with citizens and private organizations. Neden Why did they take so long to accept our help? [It took them] Five days… [and] Only the fourth army was deployed. “
Frank Stein, a medical air ambulance company, managing Mr. Air Aviation, Frank Stein flew the weekend reconnaissance flights and helped farmers to leave the fires spreading to the south of the national park. He said: “I read that the Namibian Defense Forces were fighting fires and that this could be very good, but I didn’t see them on the ground.
“All I saw is a handful of farmers, maybe 50 people, trying to fight with different groups, fires, I wouldn’t even call it a limited resource.”
Stein said that he wanted the government to offer offers to help him fight fires from his company and others.
Early on Monday, the Prime Minister of Namibia published On Facebook: “We appreciate those who help restrict fire in the private sector… Let’s work together: Government and private sector. [sic]. The government used resources to ensure that the fire contained. “
The government said that a elephant death was reported, but it was not confirmed, that nine antelope was killed by the fire and that a pangolin was rescued.
The main charm of the park is the old Etosha salty pan for tourists. It is 80 miles long and 30 width, and during the rain season, it usually draws large flamingo herds that start in October or November.
