Bushfires are a persistent challenge every dry season. While they can occur naturally, most are set by humans. Arsonists include herders burning to create new grazing pasture for livestock, farmers clearing land adjacent to the park, and poachers promoting new growth to attract animals or to create a distraction. Fires can also start accidentally: A cigarette thrown from a car window or a spark from a burning rubbish pile can have catastrophic consequences.

The dry season turns the land into a veritable tinderbox. Left unchecked, a single blaze can devastate entire habitats — and all the animals that call them home. One bushfire can easily leave more than 10,000 acres of charred land in its wake. An early, exhaustive response is essential to prevent loss of land and life.

Fortunately, we have the capacity to tackle these blazes. Working in partnership with the KWS and other field organisations, we provide a rapid response to fire outbreaks across the landscape. It takes dozens — sometimes hundreds — of people working side by side, on the ground and in the air, day and night, to bring a fire under control.

SWT/KWS Anti-Poaching Teams are the first responders to bushfires. Rangers work on the frontlines, using beaters and backpack water sprayers to battle the flames. Meanwhile, our Aerial Unit provides support from the sky. The SWT helicopter is equipped with a Bambi Bucket to douse the fire from above, while our fixed-wing planes transport teams and equipment or scout the fire’s path. Even our machinery aids the effort: Water bowsers serve as fire trucks, while our digging and grading machinery carve out firebreaks to stop the blaze’s advance.

Large animals like elephants can outrun bushfires, but smaller creatures are terribly vulnerable. Over the years, we have rescued all manner of animals — even a tiny chameleon — from the flames. We are currently caring for a young bushbuck at our Kaluku Unit, who was found cowering in a recent fire. He arrived quite singed but is now safe and settling in.

Fire season isn’t over yet — we’ll only breathe a collective sigh of relief when the rains arrive. Earlier this year wasn’t as challenging on the fire front as in years past, but the past two months have more than made up for it. Our teams have been busy fighting fires across Tsavo and the Chyulus, working courageously and tirelessly to minimise their devastation.

Thus far in 2024, we have responded to 79 fire cases, with more than 47,800 acres burned. Every acre lost is a tragedy, but it’s important to put things in perspective: Four years ago, a blaze in the Chyulus destroyed 103,000 acres. Nature is resilient, and just as things healed then, we know these landscapes will recover.

Every firefighting effort requires incredible bravery, dedication, and determination from our team. We would also like to extend a huge thank you to our supporters: You make it possible for us to respond swiftly to fire emergencies, saving swathes of habitats and countless wild lives across Kenya.