Fire on Kilimanjaro under control after five days
After five days of extinguishing, the wildfire on Mount Kilimanjaro is under control. The Tanzanian authorities have determined this using an air inspection above the highest point in Africa.
“The fire is under control after days of continuous hard work,” explains Tanzania’s National Parks Department. The fire broke out on Sunday evening at one of the resting points for climbers. Hundreds of firefighters tried to extinguish the fire with the help of students and residents. That was very difficult because of the height and the wind.
On Thursday, authorities deployed a helicopter to extinguish the fire. The wildfire destroyed 95 square kilometers, 5 percent of the entire Kilimanjaro Park.
Tourist activities on the mountain continued, although a number of international mountaineers were evacuated.
The highest freestanding mountain in the world is a popular destination and attracts around 50,000 climbers annually.
Kilimanjaro rises to 5,895 meters above sea level. The mountain is home to three volcanoes, two extinct and one dormant.
