Africa-Press – Namibia. The Government of the Republic of Namibia is aware and has taken note of the devastating wildfire that have started on the evening of Monday, 22 September 2025 in the South-Western part of the Etosha National Park and which continues to rage to date. The exact details of the origin of the fire will be provided when all information is obtained. The fire poses a significant threat to the biodiversity, wildlife and livelihood of the communities in the affected areas. Approximately 30% of the grazing in the Park has been destroyed by the fire. Arial imagery will be undertaken to determine the extent of the spread of the fire and the area destroyed. No State of Emergency has been declared yet and a decision will be taken once all information is obtained.
During the past 3 days, the fire has spread to the north-eastern parts of the Park. On Friday 26 September 2025, the fire has spread into the communal areas of Omusati and Oshana Regions particularly in the Constituencies of Uuvudhiya, Otamanzi and Ruacana. Strong winds and dry vegetation contribute to the fire spreading rapidly.
Many communal areas have been affected in the Omusati and Oshana Regions. The fire has caused considerable damage to the grazing in the Park and the surrounding communal areas amounting to hundreds of thousands of hectares of grazing land. An unknown number of wildlife had been killed, whilst, thankfully, no human casualties have been reported.
The Secretary to the Cabinet, Ambassador Emilia Mkusa, as Chairperson of the National Disaster Risk Management Committee convened an emergency meeting of the National Disaster Risk Management Committee on 27 September 2025. The Committee considered all factors and critical needs as identified by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism. These needs included the following:
– Human resources,
– Equipment for firefighting and protective masks
– Food ration packs
– Graders for clearing priority fire cutlines
– Mobile clinic for emergencies
The following action was taken:
– A contingent of 40 members of NDF were despatched to the area on the 27 September 2025.
– Another 500 soldiers were dispatched on the 28 September 2025.
– 2 helicopters and fire extinguishers by the NDF were dispatched on 28 September 2025. The MEFT to confirm support from nearby farms for helicopter
assistance, including associated expenses.
– NAMPOL has deployed one helicopter to carry out surveillance of the extend of the fire in Omusati Region.
– Additional manpower assistance has also been received from NAMPOL through the Oshana Region, Kunene Region and the Office of the Prime Minister.
The information provided by the teams on the ground indicate that the fires in the Oshikoto, Oshana and Kunene Regions are now under control, while firefighting interventions are still continuing in Omusati Region. The Governors and Local Authorities of the affected regions of Oshikoto, Oshana, Omusati and Kunene are coordinating appropriate interventions on the ground to ensure that the fire does not further spread to the other areas.
The Office of the Prime Minister, Ministries of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Land Reform continue to mobilise resources to reinforce ongoing efforts to enable the teams on the ground to extinguish the fire.
Local Authorities in the Oshikoto, Oshana and Omusati Regions have also come on board to provide necessary resources to contain the fire. The Secretary to the Cabinet will provide periodic update the nation on the progress being made, while the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism will establish a situation room, consisting of all relevant stakeholders, which will ensure better coordination and centralised decision-making.
The Government of the Republic of Namibia expresses its sincere appreciation to the private sector, the neighbouring farmers and the members of the surrounding communities who tirelessly continue to assist in the firefighting efforts.
Her Excellency, the Acting President, Lucia Witbooi, urges visitors to Etosha National Park to follow Park management directives on the safe routes and precautions in the park. She further urged all citizens to remain calm and allow the necessary State apparatus to continue to attend to this urgent matter.
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