Etosha National Park, a crown jewel of Namibia’s natural heritage, is facing one of its gravest crises in recent memory. Since September 22, 2025, a wildfire has raged across the park’s vast expanse, burning through approximately 34 percent of its land—an area amounting to some 775,163 hectares, or about 1.9 million acres. The scale of destruction has prompted a massive national response, with more than 500 soldiers deployed as of Sunday, September 28, to join the fight against the flames, according to statements from Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and the presidency.
Prime Minister Tjitunga Ngurare Manongo announced the deployment in a social media post, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The soldiers, drawn from various regions, have been sent to reinforce the efforts of firefighters, police, and a growing force of local volunteers who were already on the ground. Defence Minister Frans Kapofi confirmed to AFP, “The order was given that the troops must be deployed, and if all are not on the ground yet, they will be there soon. They are deployed from various regions and will be deployed to all affected areas.”
The fire’s rapid spread has been fueled by strong winds and exceptionally dry vegetation—a dangerous combination in this largely desert nation. The park, located in northern Namibia, is one of Africa’s largest wildlife reserves, stretching over 22,270 square kilometers (8,600 square miles). Its most distinctive feature is the ancient Etosha salt pan, a vast, shimmering expanse about 130 kilometers (81 miles) long and 50 kilometers (31 miles) wide. During the rainy season, the pan draws enormous flocks of migratory flamingoes, transforming the landscape into a spectacle of color and life.
But the current disaster has cast a shadow over this natural wonder. The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has closed certain tourist routes and issued warnings to visitors, urging caution as the wind direction could change unpredictably. The park is home to 114 species of mammals, including the critically endangered black rhinoceros, making it a vital stronghold for biodiversity and a major draw for international tourists.
According to the presidency, the fire has caused “extensive ecological damage.” At least nine antelopes have been confirmed killed, though the full toll on wildlife remains unknown. “An unknown number of wildlife had been killed, whilst, thankfully, no human casualties have been reported,” the presidency said in a statement. The fire has also destroyed about 30 percent of the park’s grazing land, threatening the livelihoods of local communities and the survival of countless animals.
Authorities believe the blaze originated from charcoal production activities on commercial farms bordering the park. The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism reported that the fire’s ignition point appears linked to these activities, though a full investigation is ongoing. The ministry emphasized the seriousness of the situation: “The ecological damage inside ENP is extensive, with an estimated 775,163 hectares, approximately 34 percent of the park, burned.”
To bolster the firefighting effort, the government dispatched two helicopters to the area on Sunday, September 28. These reinforcements joined 40 soldiers who had arrived the previous day, supplementing the ranks of police, locals, and people from neighboring farms and private enterprises who had been battling the flames since the fire’s outbreak. The presidency noted that the extra troops “are deployed from various regions and will be deployed to all affected areas.”
By Sunday, September 28, officials reported that the fire was under control in some regions of the park, but it continued to burn in the Omusati region near the border with Angola. The unpredictability of the wind and the vastness of the terrain have complicated containment efforts, keeping authorities and local residents on high alert.
The disaster has drawn attention to broader environmental challenges facing Namibia and the region. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah addressed the United Nations General Assembly last week, warning that “climate change is scorching our lands and drying up our rivers.” She called on governments to support the Namib Declaration, which advocates for a stronger United Nations Convention to combat desertification. Namibia was among dozens of countries to argue at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last year that climate change and human rights are closely linked, with the nation’s submission focusing particularly on the right to access to water.
The world’s top court found in July that countries must meet their climate obligations and that failing to do so could violate international law, potentially opening the door for affected nations to seek reparations in future legal cases. Namibia’s experience with the Etosha fire underscores the tangible risks posed by a warming planet, particularly for countries already grappling with arid climates and scarce water resources.
International organizations have also weighed in on the growing threat of wildfires. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recently reported that wildfires are increasingly contributing to poor air quality, with climate change driving more frequent and intense blazes. Smoke from such fires can travel vast distances, affecting air quality in neighboring countries and even other continents. Research from the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group has shown that climate change played a significant role in worsening the fires that devastated hundreds of thousands of hectares in Portugal and Spain earlier this year.
Etosha National Park, with its remarkable biodiversity and iconic landscapes, now finds itself at the intersection of these global trends. The park’s 114 mammal species—including lions, elephants, giraffes, and the critically endangered black rhinoceros—face new threats as their habitats are scorched and food sources dwindle. The loss of grazing land, in particular, poses a dire challenge in the coming months, as animals compete for increasingly scarce resources.
For the people living in the communities surrounding Etosha, the fire is more than an environmental tragedy—it is a blow to their way of life. Many rely on the park for tourism-related income or as a buffer for their own agricultural activities. The government’s emergency response, including the deployment of troops and closure of tourist routes, has been swift, but the long-term recovery will require sustained effort and international support.
As the flames subside in some areas, attention is turning to the future. Authorities are working to assess the full extent of the damage and to develop strategies for restoration and prevention. There is a growing recognition that climate resilience—through better land management, stronger fire prevention measures, and international cooperation—will be essential to safeguard Etosha and other treasured landscapes from similar disasters in the years ahead.
Namibia’s battle against the Etosha fire is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by even the world’s most celebrated natural reserves. The coming months will test the nation’s resolve and ingenuity as it seeks to heal the scars left by the blaze and protect its unique wildlife for generations to come.