A massive fire that engulfed over a third of Namibia’s renowned Etosha National Park is now extinguished, authorities confirmed Wednesday. The blaze, which began on September 22, spread quickly through parched vegetation, driven by strong winds across one of Africa’s largest game reserves.
The government deployed 500 soldiers to contain the fire, suspected to have originated from charcoal production on farms bordering the park. “Following the second aerial assessment on September 30, no active fires were detected within Etosha National Park,” an environment ministry statement said.
Mopping-up operations continue, with ground teams monitoring to prevent previously contained flames from reigniting across the vast landscape. Etosha hosts 14 mammal species, including the critically endangered black rhino, highlighting the fire’s devastating ecological impact on wildlife.
Authorities reported that 853,946 hectares, or 38 percent of the park, were affected, leaving scorched earth and vulnerable habitats behind. A total of 364 Namibian Defence Force members remain deployed, with 40 inside the park conducting monitoring and mopping-up operations.
Three veterinarians were sent to tend to injured animals, while officials monitor water points and movement corridors for signs of distress. Visitors are urged to report injured wildlife immediately, though priority remains extinguishing fires outside the park while caring for affected species. Meanwhile, a separate blaze continues on the park’s outskirts, with 45 personnel actively working to snuff out the remaining flames.