A massive wildfire in northeastern Kenya has ravaged vast rangelands, threatening critically endangered species, including white rhinos, and displacing large herds of wildlife. The fire, which broke out in Merti subcounty on January 19, spread rapidly due to strong winds and prolonged drought conditions, consuming an estimated 81,000 hectares (200,000 acres) of land.
Eyewitnesses reported hundreds of elephants fleeing toward Marti Plateau near Samburu county as the inferno engulfed the landscape. Conservationists warn that while larger animals may have escaped, countless smaller species, such as snakes, rodents, and rare birds, have likely perished. Indigenous plant life has also been severely affected.
Efforts to contain the fire were hampered by inadequate firefighting equipment, with emergency teams resorting to bulldozers to create firebreaks. By January 24, flames in several affected areas had been contained, but the environmental damage remains extensive.
Local communities, heavily reliant on the scorched rangelands for grazing, now face a dire situation. Experts predict an increase in human-wildlife conflict as animals venture into populated areas in search of food and water. Herders, likewise, may encroach on protected wildlife reserves, further endangering fragile ecosystems.
Environmentalists emphasize the need for long-term fire management strategies, including controlled burns and sustainable grazing practices, to prevent similar disasters. With rainfall not expected until March or April, the survival of both wildlife and pastoralist communities hangs in the balance.