KFS issues alert over forest fire in Aberdare, Mt Kenya region

NYERI, KENYA: Kenya Forest Service on Tuesday issued a fire alert within Mt Kenya and the Aberdare forest owing to the prevailing weather condition.

In a statement to the media, KFS Mt Kenya Regional Ecosystem Conservator Francis Mathinji said the fast drying vegetation within the major forests had increased the danger of fire break out.

He said the current weather condition in many of the country forest and the drying vegetation, had aggravated the fire danger adding that instances of fire out break were very high in some forests.

"It has become necessary to declare forest fire danger season, in accordance with the forest act of 2005," the statement reads in part.

Mathinji noted that during the forest fire season, KFS officers on leave should resume duties with immediate effect.

"All the forest ranger should remain in their work place 24 hours a day including weekends and public holidays and no officer will be allowed to leave his or her station without permission," He noted.
 

He advised KFS employees , farmers adjacent to the forest was well as community forest associations to be on look out and respond to emergencies promptly.