Tanzania army tasked to fight 'stubborn' fire on Mt. Kilimanjaro

MOSHI, Tanzania

The Chief of Defence Forces of the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF), General Jacob Mkunda has ordered the deployment the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces on Mt Kilimanjaro to help curb the raging flames.

“Officers and men of TPDF have already arrived in Siha and Mwika areas in Kilimanjaro Region ready to start the fire fighting operation,” said a statement by TPDF.

The statement added: TPDF will fully cooperate with other Defense and Security Agencies, various stakeholders and citizens to ensure that the fire is controlled early before it causes serious damage to the park.

The statement which was issued on November 1, did not say exactly how many men and women had been deployed in the area by the TPDF.

This comes days after the Tanapa officials claimed that the fires had been contained by the security agencies.

Reports say that the fire which broke out on Africa’s highest peak Mouth Kilimanjaro, is still raging despite extensive efforts to bring them under control since 21 October near one of the most popular climbing routes estimated to be about 3,963 meters above sea level..

There are also reports that another fire has also broken out on the eastern side of the mountain, near Mawenzi Peak.

Infra-red hotspots which has been shared by the BBC show where flames were still burning on Sunday in these two areas.

People living near the mountain say they could see the fires burning at night from their villages.

A tour guide who live in Moshi almost 40 kilometers away shared pictures of the flames that continues to consume the moorland area of the mountain

More than 500 people, including firefighters, national park staff, tour guides and civilians, have been battling to put out the fire. - TheCitizen