A wildfire that has swept through the moorlands of Mount Kenya for seven days has destroyed about 8,700 hectares of vegetation, with firefighting teams still working to stop the flames from spreading further.
The Rhino Ark Charitable Trust confirmed on Monday that the fire had affected a large section of the mountain after breaking out near Rutundu Lodge last week.
Strong winds and high temperatures have helped the flames move quickly across the dry moorland, creating a difficult task for teams trying to contain the fire.
The blaze has spread in two main directions, with one front moving towards Marania Forest in the north while another headed south-west towards Chogoria.
Rhino Ark said the fire on the northern side had been brought under control on Sunday, but efforts were continuing to contain the flames on the southern front.
The firefighting operation has brought together several agencies and conservation organisations, including Mount Kenya Trust, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
Rhino Ark and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) later joined the operation, providing additional personnel and support as the fire spread across the mountain.
“Despite a quick response by Mount Kenya Trust, Lewa, Kenya Forest Service and Kenya Wildlife Service, the fire spread further. Rhino Ark as well as KDF then stepped in to provide additional support,” the organisation said.
Tropic Air has also been involved in the response, working with Rhino Ark to monitor the affected areas from the air and help teams plan their operations on the ground.
“Rhino Ark, together with Tropic Air, is conducting daily aerial reconnaissance flights to assist with the planning of the operations, as well as with a team of firefighters. As of 6 September, about 8700 hectares of moorlands were burnt,” it added.
The aerial surveillance has helped teams track the movement of the flames and identify areas requiring attention as the firefighting operation continues.
The response has also been complicated by the difficult terrain of Mount Kenya, with some areas proving hard to reach by road or on foot. Strong winds have further made it difficult to keep the fire under control after sections that had been extinguished reignited or new fire points emerged.
The latest fire has also raised concern over the safety of the mountain's wider forest ecosystem, particularly areas covered by indigenous trees and bamboo that could be threatened if the flames move beyond the moorlands.
More than 800 people have been involved in the wider firefighting effort, including local residents, KFS and KWS rangers and KDF personnel.
The operation is being supported by conservation organisations and other partners, who have provided personnel, equipment and aerial support.
The Mount Kenya fire comes as firefighting teams also deal with a separate blaze in the Aberdare Ranges, where more than 200 acres of forest have been destroyed.
Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi has said the construction of an airstrip in the forest would improve the response to emergencies by making it easier for teams and equipment to reach difficult areas.
“If we had an airstrip in the forest, it would be easier to contain the fire that is spreading fast on Mt Kenya. The terrain is very challenging to be tackled by people on foot. God willing, we will complete the project,” Mr Mugambi said.
The continued fires have added to concerns over the growing threat facing forests in Kenya. According to KFS, frequent forest fires have destroyed more than 96,000 acres of forest land over the past five years.
The Mount Kenya wildfire also comes amid wider concerns over the increasing risk of wildfires in forests in Kenya and other parts of the world, with rising temperatures and changing weather patterns contributing to the threat.