Fire in Arsi Mountains National Park Remains Uncontrolled After Two Weeks

A fire that broke out in the Arsi Mountains National Park two weeks ago remains uncontrolled, officials have confirmed.

The fire, which started two weeks ago in the Arsi Mountains National Park, has yet to be contained as of Thursday, February 13, 2017, according to officials from the Arsi Zone and the park's administration who spoke to Ethiopia Insider. The Arsi Zone also announced that 30 individuals suspected of causing the fire have been detained.

The Arsi Mountains National Park, one of the six national parks in the Oromia Region, is home to unique species found only in Ethiopia, such as the Menelik's bushbuck, mountain nyala, red fox, and other wildlife. Established as a national park in 2011, the park covers an area of 84,340 hectares.

The fire, which began in the Echo Woreda within the park, has now spread to 11 districts, according to Mohammed Tifo, head of the Arsi Mountains National Park Secretariat. He noted that the Chilalo Galema block of the park has suffered "significant damage" due to the fire.

The Arsi Mountains National Park is divided into four blocks: Chilalo Galema, Kaka, Honkolo, and Dera Dilfeker. Among these, Chilalo Galema covers the largest area, spanning 70,486 hectares. Idris Hordofa, the Arsi Zone Public Relations Officer, told Ethiopia Insider that local herders are suspected to be the cause of the fire.