Battling Wildfires In The Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project
- Wildlife Works
- Nov 3
- 4 min read
By Jane Okoth
Each year, between August and October, wildfires sweep across the semi-arid landscape of Tsavo in Eastern Kenya. These fires do not just burn dry grass; they threaten the existence of wildlife and destroy livelihoods, with the potential to undo years of conservation work.
At the Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project, a dedicated team of rangers and workshop staff is always on high alert and ready to respond. Among them is Evans Mwachoki, the Deputy Head Ranger, who has spent the last 15 years protecting this vital landscape.
During this time, the team ensures they are fire-ready by checking that all firefighting equipment is in working order and readily accessible. “Ranger Patrol vehicles are required to carry water, knapsack sprayers, and fire flappers at all times, even during ranger patrols,” Evans says.
In 2024, Evans was promoted to Deputy Head Ranger, a role he describes as very rewarding. “It was a growth opportunity, and I was very happy to be selected,” he says. “I credit my promotion to the support of the management and my hands-on experience over the years,” he adds.
Now in his new role, Evans oversees the administration and logistics of the ranger department and acts as the Head Ranger when required, which is particularly critical during the fire season.
In recent months, multiple fire incidents have been reported in the Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project area and surrounding community areas. Before responding, Evans and his team first assess the size of the fire to determine the appropriate response.
“The fires are categorized into different levels. Level one is when we have small fires that can be contained by one ranger team, led by a team leader,” he explains. “When a fire reaches level two, they have to be contained by up to 50 people, typically led by the Head Ranger or, in his absence, the Deputy Head Ranger,” he adds. When a fire reaches level three, it demands support from external partners and additional personnel, usually led by the Security Manager.
One recent incident occurred at Ndara ranch, one of the areas in our project area, where a community landowner reported a fire. Without hesitation, Evans joined his team on the ground.
“When I reached the fire, I alerted the operations room and gave them a clear picture of the situation. After coordinating the teams, we started dealing with the fireheads to suppress it so that it could not spread. The teams gave me information on the fireheads, the fire’s direction, and the wind direction so I could relay the information back. Updates were sent every 15 minutes as the team worked to contain the flames,” he explains.
Because the fire escalated to Level 2, the Project Lead Nick Taylor was forced to call in conservation partners from across the Tsavo landscape. On that incident, about 80 people came to help, including Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Sisal Estate, Tsavo Trust, Kenya Wildlife Service, the Kasigau Corridor team, and community members.
After hours of coordinated effort, the fire, which began at 9 a.m., was contained by 2 p.m., with only 100 acres lost.
Such incidents are normally caused by litter burning, traditional earth charcoal kilns, and farm clearing, which have been intensified by the current dry and windy conditions. The prolonged droughts and rising temperatures have increased the fire risks because during this time all the ranches, national parks and community areas are vulnerable.
“This is the time when community members are preparing their farms using a method called slash and burn agriculture, which can quickly escalate into uncontrolled fires,” Evans explains.
The impact of these fires is devastating. “If an area burns, wildlife that feed on the vegetation suffer the most. It also poses a danger to the communities living around because it threatens homes and properties,” he adds.
Even so, Evans emphasizes how far the Kasigau Corridor REDD+ project has come with preparing for such fires. “Before, we used to put out fires with luck. We were not organized, and there was no one in control,” he says. “Now, thanks to numerous trainings, we have clear instructions, know which equipment to carry, and understand how to read the wind direction. I cannot compare before when we used to fight the fires without any training. Thanks to the improved coordination, fighting fires is now much faster,” he adds.
To reduce future fires, the ranger department is working closely with the Agribusiness and Forestry teams to raise community awareness about the risks of slash-and-burn agriculture. “After putting out a fire, we always check the source,” he explains. “If it’s linked to a farmer, we educate them on sustainable ways to clear their land without burning what they call “rubbish,” which can be used as manure.”
According to Evans, these interventions, combined with the team’s improved preparedness, have led to a noticeable reduction in fire incidents.
The Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project emphasizes the importance of limiting controlled burns, maintaining high vigilance among ranch staff, and creating greater awareness of the risks associated with using fire for land clearing.
With continuous community engagement, the Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project is steadily addressing the practice of slash-and-burn agriculture in the project area, one of the major causes of fires. Our appreciation goes out to all team members who have been part of this noble cause.
