Petronella Sibeene
9 October 2008
Windhoek — Bush fires recently destroyed thousands of hectares of grazing land in the maize triangle area.
The fires damaged property and infrastructure running into thousands of dollars.
For four days from Wednesday until last Saturday last week, 8000 hectares of land were engulfed in flames that also killed wildlife.
According to a forest ranger from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Robert Simasiku, the large inferno, fired up by an abundance of dry vegetation, burnt to death five kudus, 20 warthogs, 10 duikers, 10 steenbok and countless birds.
Five farms were affected with damage to infrastructure, particularly farm fences, estimated at between N$70000 and N$100000, he revealed.
"Looking at the hectares destroyed, 800 cattle could feed from that area until the next rainy season," said Simasiku.
The worry right now is if the rainy season comes late, farmers would have to wait longer for nature and existing wildlife to restock itself.
The cause of the fires is careless human activity where someone left burning charcoal in the bush after preparing a meal, Simasiku said.
Uncontrolled bush fires are a serious problem in the country particularly during the dry season when they are fuelled by dry vegetation and strong winds.
Every year, fires destroy between four and seven million hectares of grazing land.
"It is a serious problem in this area. It is a war that we fight every year and considering that there is long grass all over, we are living in fear," added Simasiku.
He appealed to the inhabitants of the region and visitors to always extinguish fire and if unable to do so, immediately contact the forestry office for action.
Data indicate that the regions worst affected by bush fires are Caprivi, Kavango, Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, Omusati, Kunene, Oshikoto and Khomas.
Bush fires have not only caused destruction within Namibian borders but have also encroached into neighbouring countries.
The Okavango Delta in Botswana caught fire last week and according to a report from Mmegi newspaper, threats of fires from the Namibian side of the border were received on September 26 when satellite images showed fires approaching from Namibia.
But it was not until Friday that the fires finally reached Botswana, causing a lot of destruction around the delta.
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