KFS announces new measures to deal with wildfires

All staff have been recalled from leave and authorised to remain vigilant with respective duty stations

by FELIX KIPKEMOI

News27 January 2025 - 17:15

In Summary

The statement comes in the wake of the raging wild fires that has so far consumed over 2, 500 hectares in Garbatula and Sericho areas of Isiolo county.
The fire decimated grass and shrubs which act as pastureland for the pastorist communities.

Kenya Forest Service (KFS) says it has put in place adequate measures to ensure early detection and prompt response to fire outbreaks in any part of the country in the wake of Isiolo wildfires.

KFS Chief Conservator Alex Lemarkoko said based on fire risk assessments conducted in various counties, it has become evident that the country is now in the forest fire season, hence to be fully prepared.

In a statement, Lemarkoko stated that as part of precautions to deal with any incident, all firebreaks and external boundaries should be cleaned, cleared, and manned throughout the season.

“Fire patrols should be stepped up, fire standby roasters should be drawn up and strictly adhered to, and all firefighting equipment should be serviced and kept within ease of reach in case of a fire outbreak,” he said.

The KFS personnel, forest adjacent communities and personnel from other agencies, he said, are prepared to tackle any fire outbreaks using a multi-agency approach in respective areas.

He added that to ensure these interventions succeed, all staff have been recalled from leave and have been authorised to remain vigilant with respective duty stations.

The raging wildfires in Isiolo has consumed more than 2,500 hectares in the Garbatula and Sericho areas of Isiolo County.

All county forest officers and forest stations should urgently prepare a fire preparedness plan for this office, he remarked.

The fire watch towers, he added, should be manned daily from 0600hrs to 1800hrs, and also all communication equipment telephones should be operational and manned all the time.

This is in addition to ensuring that all fire danger rating boards and posters are displayed at strategic points for the general public to see and understand the level of fire danger in the respective forests.

Kenya is currently experiencing dry weather with high temperatures, low humidity, and dry winds.

KFS said it has already mobilised 200 Forest Rangers and is also utilising its aerial capability, chap tracks, water bowsers, and firefighting engines, among other vital equipment, to fight the flames.

The Isiolo fire has decimated grass and shrubs, which act as pastureland for the pastorist communities.

“Forest managers in charge of stations should work in close liaison with community forest associations and the general public in the event of any fire outbreak,” he said.

He said that sensitization of adjacent communities and the general public on prevention, detection, and suppression of fire outbreaks should be a continuous activity.

“Anyone who intends to burn any vegetation in areas adjacent to the forest reserve should submit written notice of his or her intention within 48 hours to the nearest police station or forest station,” he added.

While urging the members of the public to observe fire precautions and strictly adhere to fire prevention measures during this season, Lemarkoko said no burning of vegetation should be permitted near or inside forest areas.

“All necessary measures must be taken to ensure that any fire outbreak is contained at the earliest time possible, and it is always advisable to work closely with the nearest police station and other government security agencies on matters of law enforcement with respect to forest fires,” he said.

Lemarkoko said in the event of a fire outbreak, information should be sent out to the KFS Command Centre, nearest forest office, police station, and any other office using the quickest means possible.