Wildfires break out in 2 Kenya forests, threatening key water catchment areas

NAIROBI, Kenya

Kenyan authorities on Wednesday confirmed that wildfires have erupted in the Aberdare and Mt. Kenya forests, two of Kenya’s most important water catchment areas, prompting urgent firefighting efforts from conservation authorities.

Teams from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) have been deployed to contain the flames as strong winds and dry conditions fuel the spread of the fires.

"Our teams are working around the clock to contain the fires, which have been intensified by the ongoing dry spell," Lucy Mwati, a senior director with the Kenya Wildlife Service overseeing mountain conservation, told Anadolu.

"Our priority is to stop the flames from spreading further and safeguard the fragile ecosystems critical to Kenya’s water supply," Mwati said.

The official confirmed that one of the most active fires is in the Embaringo section of the Aberdare Forest, which lies approximately 160 kilometers (100 miles) north of Nairobi.


Other affected areas within the Aberdares have also been identified, with response teams working to contain flare-ups before they spread to more vulnerable sections of the forest.

Fire outbreaks have also been reported within Mt. Kenya Forest, where teams are assessing the extent of damage and deploying resources to limit further destruction.

Authorities have warned that prolonged dry conditions have significantly increased the risk of wildfires in forested regions, urging the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any signs of fire.

Investigations into the cause of the fires are underway.