Fires In The Kruger National Park

The Kruger National Park (KNP) is currently experiencing four fast moving fires since Friday, 12 September 2014 due to the hot weather conditions in the area. A run-away fire jumped over the border on Friday from Mozambique into the KNP; burning areas south of Olifants River, Houtboschrand, N’wanetsi until Tshokwane; however it is now under control.

Yesterday around lunch time, another fire came from one of our concession areas on the western side of the Park. Two fires started today around Phabeni Gate areas as well and are still raging.

“We are concerned about the hot weather conditions which we have been experiencing this week as they cause these fires to be difficult to control and can cause damage to the environment, said the KNP’s General Manager: Communications & Marketing, William Mabasa.

Our conservation staff members are working day and night to try and manage all the fires at the moment.

“We would like to advise the public to be on the look-out for fires in the Park and to refrain from starting more, as the dry and windy conditions cause these fires to be fast, hot and out of control”, concluded Mabasa.

Issued by
Communications & Marketing Department – Kruger National Park. Contact: Tel: 013 735 4262 cell: 082 807 1441 or email: laura.mukwevho@sanparks.org


Media enquiries either:
William Mabasa, GM: Communications & Marketing, Kruger National Park. Contact: Tel: 013 735 4363, cell: 082 807 3919 or email: william.mabasa@sanparks.org or

Reynold Thakhuli – Acting Head of Communications, SANParks, Tel: (012) 426 5170, Cell: 073 373 4999, e-mail: rey.thakhuli@sanparks.org