Kenya Forest Service Reveals Causes of Recent Fires in Forests and Reserves

The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has revealed the causes of recent wildfires in the Maasai Mara National Reserve (Mau), Mt. Kenya, and Aberdare Forest ecosystems.

In a statement on Thursday, February 27, KFS confirmed that the wildfires have been contained but maintained a high fire danger rating across all its stations.

According to KFS, the current dry weather conditions, characterized by high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds, are creating high risk of forest fires.

Rapid drying up of vegetation and the accumulation of combustible materials have also exacerbated the situation.

Wildfires in Maasai Mara Mt. Kenya and Aberdare Forests

The Forest Service stated that since January 2025, significant fires have been reported in Isiolo, Garissa, and coastal ecosystems.

“There has been an exponential increase in forest fire incidents within the past week,” read the statement in part.

The KFS Command Centre has recorded 180 fire incidents, resulting in the burning of 1,357.97 hectares of various vegetation types within gazetted forests across the Mau (Maasai Mau), North Rift, Coast, Central Highlands (Mt. Kenya and Aberdares), and Eastern Conservancies.

Also Read: Fire Breaks Out at Maasai Mara National Reserve 

This heightened fire season is anticipated to continue until mid-March 2025.

“The KFS is actively collaborating with Community Forest Associations, the public, the Kenya Wildlife Service, national and county government agencies, and other conservation partners in ongoing fire suppression efforts,” the statement read further.

KFS Outlines Key Actions and Precautions

The KFS has suspended all burning of vegetation adjacent to or within forest areas.

Individuals intending to burn vegetation near forest reserves will be required to provide written notification 48 hours in advance to the nearest KFS or Police Station.

The Service has enhanced preparedness by deploying additional firefighting equipment, 12 pick-up vehicles, and six troop carriers, as well as recalling all staff on leave to bolster fire preparedness.

Also Read: Man Sets Himself on Fire Outside Uganda Parliament

Additionally, the Service has installed a smoke detection system to monitor forest fires in Mt. Kenya, Aberdares and Mau ecosystems.

“The Service urges the public to remain vigilant and report any signs of fire immediately to the nearest Forest Station or call: 0202020285,” KFS said.

This comes after fire incidents were reported in conservancies in central Kenya in recent weeks, raising concerns about the impact of prolonged dry weather on the region’s forests.

On Wednesday, February 26, wildfires broke out in the Aberdare and Mt. Kenya forests as teams from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Kenya Forest Service (KFS) worked to contain the blaze.

Similarly, on Monday, February 24, a raging wildfire broke out in the forests within the Maasai Mara National Reserve, causing extensive damage to vegetation and trees planted as part of conservation efforts.

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