Mt. Kilimanjaro wildfire destroys 28 sq km of vegetation: official
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Read< 1minuteIn this image made from video, a ranger helps to put out fires on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. Tanzanian authorities say 500 volunteers have been trying to put out a fire on Africa’s tallest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro. (AP Photo)
A wildfire that broke out Sunday on Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, has destroyed 28 square kilometers of vegetation, an official said Tuesday evening.
Allan Kijazi, the conservation commissioner for Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), said the loss of vegetation could be high as firefighters are still battling to extinguish the fire.
“We are expecting to contain the fire in the next 24 hours,” Kijazi told a news conference.
He said the final count for loss of vegetation will be done after the fire is completely put out.
A preliminary investigation showed that the fire was accidentally caused by porters serving climbers at Whona, said Pascal Shelutete, an official with TANAPA, during a news briefing earlier on Tuesday.
The fire erupted at Whona area, a resting place for climbers of the mountain using the Mandara and Horombo route.
Mount Kilimanjaro, one of Tanzania’s leading tourist destinations, is about 5,895 meters above sea level.
