Staff Reporter
AS of 28 September 2025, new fire activities have been reported in Halali, Eindpaal, and the Okondeka-Mbari-Ekuma corridor within Etosha National Park’s central region. Outside the park, fires are actively burning in Onkaanka and Amarika villages, with the blaze advancing toward Elamba.
These developments follow earlier outbreaks in the western and southern sections of the park, some of which have now been successfully contained, most notably in Dolomite, where the fire is no longer active.
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This is according to an update provided by the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Indileni Daniel, who explained that to date, MEFT has deployed 150 personnel alongside 311 members of the Namibian Defence Force.
“The response is supported by two helicopters for aerial surveillance and water bombing, six fire trucks, six fire engine machines, five fire blowers, two Land Cruisers equipped with water tanks, and one water truck provided by the Oshana Regional Council. Despite these efforts, the situation remains challenging due to strong winds, dry vegetation, and limited firefighting equipment,” Daniel said.
She added that she is currently on the ground in Etosha National Park to assess the extent of the fire damage, evaluate the operational needs of deployed teams, and provide strategic guidance to ensure an effective and coordinated response, as well as support to the brave men and women working tirelessly to contain the fires.
“At this stage, the full extent of wildlife casualties cannot be confirmed. A proper postmortem assessment will be conducted once the fires are fully contained to determine the impact on species and habitats. We urge all visitors to Etosha National Park to remain vigilant, strictly adhere to park rules, and take all necessary precautions. The safety of guests, staff, and wildlife is paramount, and cooperation is essential during this emergency response,” Daniel said.
