A section of Donyo Sabuk forest in Chanzavi hills in Kilimambogo on Sunday evening caught fire whose cause is yet to be established.
Speaking while trying to put out the fire, Donyo Sabuk area head of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Thomas Mailu said the main suspected cause was illegal charcoal burning.
“I was alerted by officers on guard after the fire started spreading fast. The cause and the person who started the fire is being sort after. We have been fighting with charcoal dealers in this forest as they cut trees and burn charcoal which is destroying the animal habitat,” said Mailu
The residents, together with the KWS officers, spent the better hours of Sunday evening trying to put off the fire that was starting to spread really fast.
“The exercise will continue tomorrow (today) in the morning since there are dangerous wild animals from the forest that can pose as a risk to the people if the exercise continues into the night,” added Mailu.
Area chief, Joseph Makosi, however urged the residents living around the forest to take caution as the animals have been moving towards the outer part of the park during the night. He called upon the residents to avoid the forest and warn their children against playing near the area.
“The fire might have been caused by notorious charcoal burners. However the residents should be more careful as witnessed lately the animals have been moving during the night from the depth of the forest to the open areas to look for food. Therefore we should be more careful and avoid the areas as much as possible,” said Makosi.
By Sunday night the residents had managed to put off the fire near the parts that were a threat to fast spreading.
The KWS boss however stated that investigations were underway and soon they would establish the cause and the culprits brought to book.