Latest News on Veld Fires in Erongo Region

A total of almost 60 000 ha of natural grazing has been destroyed by wild fires in Erongo Region.

In Okombahe area alone about 30 000 ha was destroyed with 14 farms and 136 households affected. Mr. Keib and Somseb the  Agriculture Extension Technicians from Okombahe tirelessly coordinated the fire fighting effort in Otjimbingwe area.

In Spitzkoppe area about 20 000 ha of grazing was destroyed with 6 farms and 98 households affected. Mr. Goagoseb the Agriculture technician in the area was coordinating the firefighting effort in the area.

The Agriculture staff assisted Forestry staff from Walvis Bay and coordinated the efforts with the Erongo Regional Council.

Report on Field fire devastation in Uis Communal farming area

The Agricultural Development Centre in UIS has witness the trend field fires ravaged the grazing land and domestic livestock. The area affected is the north eastern and eastern side of Uis farming area. The total area affected is +/- 9000 ha.

The fire started on the 4^th September 2011 and was extinguished on the 10^th September 2011 in Uis area. Almost 7 settlements with 37 farming units( kraals) are affected.

Statistics are deliberated as follow:

1. Total small stock burnt to death: 547
2. Total lambs without mothers: suckling: 150 ( no decreasing every day due to mortalities)
3. Total small stock alive: 3474(sheep & goats)
4. Total cattle alive:332
5. Total donkeys and horses alive: 161

Supporting summaries

1. Feed/licks needed for nurturing live animals
2. Dry milk powder/feed for small lambs till next rainy season
3. Wound oil and antibiotics needed to treat affected alive
4. In case for relocation : provision of water to emergency grazing area/installation of existing unused boreholes

Mr. S. Ganinab

Senior Agricultural Extension Technician