April 20, 2024

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Fires in Tanzania: Impressive images of fires burning Kilimanjaro’s slopes

Fires in Tanzania: Impressive images of fires burning Kilimanjaro’s slopes

A huge fire has broken out in Tanzania on the slopes of Kilimanjaro at an altitude of 4000 meters, and more than 300 people are currently fighting to put out the fire to protect this exceptional natural park, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kilimanjaro’s famed slopes have been engulfed in flames since Saturday. The fire, which started on Friday evening, has spread widely. The newspaper said the exact extent of the fire, which broke out Friday evening and was fanned by strong overnight winds, had not been determined as of Saturday afternoon. the world. More than 300 people were involved in fighting the fire.

A reconnaissance plane meant to assess the extent of the damage was unable to get close to the disaster. The fire broke out near Karanga Camp, a trekker’s stop at an altitude of about 4,000 meters above sea level on the southern slope of the “Roof of Africa” ​​(5,895 meters). According to local officials, the fire does not pose a threat to tourists on the hill, which is popular with trekkers and mountaineers.

“We cannot comment on the extent of the fire at this time as the focus is on containing the fire.”Regional police chief Yahaya Mdogo said yesterday. “We don’t have any information on population impact, except BRUSHWOOD BURNS »He noted.

This fire comes exactly two years after the previous fire which destroyed 95 km2 and fortunately caused no casualties. Kilimanjaro, an iconic mountain whose snow-capped peak is known around the world and the area around it is classified as a national park, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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The total area is over 75,000 hectares (over 750 km2), the park is home to a remarkable ecosystem including fauna consisting of elephants, buffaloes, wildebeests, etc. The The snows of Kilimanjaro, Celebrated by Ernest Hemingway, it could even disappear by 2040, according to a 2011 report by the World Meteorological Organization, the United Nations Meteorological Agency, on the State of Africa’s Climate. The area covered by glaciers has decreased by 85% in one century from 11.40 km.2 1.76 km in 19122 In 2011.