Namibia has contained a massive wildfire that tore through more than a third of Etosha National Park, Environment, Forestry and Tourism Minister Indileni Daniel said late Monday.
“Most of the fire has been brought under control; there was no visible fire as we flew over,” Daniel told the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation, adding that crews are still dousing hot spots and will keep patrolling to prevent reignitions.
The blaze, which broke out on Sept. 22, is believed to have started from charcoal burning on nearby farms before racing across the park. Preliminary assessments report at least nine antelope deaths. Authorities have yet to determine the full ecological toll in the 22,270-square-kilometer reserve, home to 114 mammal species including endangered black rhino.
The government deployed 500 soldiers on Sunday to reinforce firefighting efforts. By then, flames had consumed an estimated 755,163 hectares—about 34% of the park—officials said.