Wildfire on Kilimanjaro under control, Tanzania says

"An air inspection that was carried out this morning shows that the whole fire has been controlled," a statement from Tanzania National Park Service (TANAPA) said. The statement said 95 square km (35 square miles), equivalent to 5% of the Kilimanjaro National Park area, had been affected by the fire, but tourism activities were continuing normally.


Reuters | Dar Es Salaam | Updated: 16-10-2020 19:27 IST | Created: 16-10-2020 19:27 IST
Wildfire on Kilimanjaro under control, Tanzania says
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  • Tanzania

A wildfire burning since the start of the week on Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest mountain, has been placed under control, Tanzania said on Friday. "An air inspection that was carried out this morning shows that the whole fire has been controlled," a statement from Tanzania National Park Service (TANAPA) said. "This fire has been controlled after the ongoing hard work since the fire erupted."

The blaze erupted on Sunday in the Whona area, a rest centre for climbers. Hundreds of firefighters including residents and students have been battling to extinguish it. On Thursday the authorities announced they had deployed a helicopter to help fight the fire.

The dormant volcano rises to almost 6,000 metres (20,000 feet) above sea level and attracts about 50,000 climbers a year. The statement said 95 square km (35 square miles), equivalent to 5% of the Kilimanjaro National Park area, had been affected by the fire, but tourism activities were continuing normally.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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