More than 775 163 hectares of land inside Etosha National Park have been reduced to ashes by a raging wildfire that has swept through the park and spilled into nearby communities in the Omusati and Oshana regions.
Outside the park, an additional 171 098 hectares of grazing land and communal areas have also been destroyed.
Two farmers from Omutambo-gomawe, whose grazing fields have been engulfed, expressed fear that their scattered livestock may have perished in the flames.
“Our cattle and goats ran in different directions when the fire reached the village. Up to now, we do not know whether they survived or are just roaming inside the fire,” one farmer Silas Amaambo said.
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) said the fire began on 22 September 2025 in the south-western part of the park, reportedly linked to suspected charcoal production on bordering commercial farms.
The flames have since spread rapidly to the western, central and southern zones of Etosha, devastating areas such as Dolomite, Okatutu, Renostervlei, Jackalswater, Halali and the stretch between Olifantbad and Halali.
Communities outside the park have also suffered.
Villages, including Omutambo-gomawe, Okambango, Okerine, Onghunya, Osagalwa, Omalika and Ovenduka have lost grazing fields, threatening both livelihoods and food security.
“At least nine antelopes have been confirmed dead, while a pangolin was rescued from the burning zone,” reads the statement.
MEFT warned that the ecological impact on Namibia’s biodiversity is already extensive.
The statement added that the wildfire crisis in Etosha National Park and surrounding areas poses a significant threat to Namibia’s biodiversity, local livelihoods and critical infrastructure.
MEFT, together with all partners, remains committed to minimising the impact of these fires,” said MET minister Indileni Daniel.
“To combat the disaster, about 60 MEFT staff, more than 20 farmers and community members, forestry teams from Outapi, Tsandi, Engombe and Ongwediva, as well as the Namibian Defence Force and the Namibian Police Force, are battling the flames. Equipment in use includes two fire trucks, six fire engines, five fire blowers and multiple water tankers,” reads the statement.
As of 27 September, 49 additional soldiers have been deployed, with 500 more expected by tomorrow.
Two helicopters from the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs have joined the fight.
The ministry cautioned tourists and communities near affected areas to remain vigilant and avoid entering or crossing fire zones, as strong winds continue to accelerate the spread of the blaze.
Secretary to Cabinet Emilia Mkusa convened an emergency meeting to coordinate government efforts. Following the meeting, Prime Minister Dr Tjitunga Elijah Nguare commended the national response as a country.
“When there is teamwork, there is no challenge we cannot overcome,” he remarked.
– vkaapanda@nepc.com.na