Fire Rips Through Gibeon District

Fire Rips Through Gibeon District

18 December 2009

published by allafrica.com

Namibia —

Firefighters are battling to extinguish a devastating veld fire that started in the Uibes farm area of the Gibeon district on Monday.

Hardap Police commander, Deputy Commissioner Kobus Meyer, yesterday said the fire had already destroyed close to 4 000 hectares of grazing.

He said the fire is defeating the firefighters because it is raging in a mountainous area. “It’s difficult for the fire engines to access the area that is on fire because it’s too rocky. Therefore, firefighters have to walk to the affected areas to fight the fire.”

An aerial survey will be done to assess the fire, according to Meyer.

Depending on its outcome of an assessment, the Namibian Defence Force could be requested for help.

Meyer said no injuries, deaths or livestock losses had been reported.

The Police are appealing to people living in the area to help.