Mount Kilimanjaro Africa’s Tallest Peak Is On Fire
Efforts are continuing in Tanzania to extinguish a fire that has broken out on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. The highest peak in Africa. Members of the Tanzania National Parks Authority (Tanapa) and local people have been struggling to put out the blaze. Which began on Sunday. Their efforts have been hampered by the altitude as well as strong winds and dry weather which have caused the fire to spread fast.
The cause of the fire is not clear. But there is speculation that the flames could have spread from a fire used to prepare food for tourists. As the fire was lit, it torched the dry vegetation and spread quickly.
Mr Shelutete said the fire started at the Whona area. A rest centre for climbers using two of the several routes up the mountain. Tanapa tweeted pictures which give a sense of the extent of the fire and its aftermath.
The flames can be seen from miles away. On Tuesday the volunteers had been able to contain the spread. Shelutete did not say how the fire, which has been burning for more than a day, has affected wildlife or vegetation, but he assured tourists of their safety. The mountain is popular with hikers and climbers.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest single free-standing mountain in the world, with a height of 19,443 feet (5,926 metres). So far no deaths or injuries have been reported. Firefighters are beginning a fifth day Thursday trying to contain a forest fire in a conservation area.
Tanzania’s minister of natural resources and tourism, Hamisi Kigwangalla, said Wednesday that the fire is threatening the alpine ecological zone. It is inhabited by various creatures including birds, snakes and lizards. Kigwangalla said dry conditions, strong winds, and the location of the fire are hampering efforts to bring it under control.
The Citizen newspaper reports Kigwangalla said Wednesday that the government will buy helicopters to bolster efforts to fight wildfires. He also directed the Tanzania National Park Agency to upgrade firefighting infrastructure. Moreover there are no reports on how the fire is affecting wildlife and vegetation since Sunday. However the probe into the fire continues.
