The continuous raging fire in the Etosha National Park has destroyed approximately 30% of the grazing land.

A media statement signed by Acting Vice President Lucia Witbooi indicates that no state of emergency has been declared yet, and a decision will be taken once all information is obtained.

During the past 3 days, the fire has spread to the northeastern parts of the park and spread into the communal areas of the Omusati and Oshana

Regions, particularly in the Uuvudhiya, Otamanzi and Ruacana constituencies as of Friday.

The rapid spread of the fire is further fuelled by strong winds and dry vegetation.

Aerial images show how the fire caused considerable damage to hundreds of thousands of hectares of grazing land in the park and the surrounding communal areas.

The statement by The Presidency states an unknown number of wildlife had been killed, but no human casualties have been reported. 

The Secretary to the Cabinet, Emilia Mkusa, as Chairperson of the National Disaster Risk Management Committee, convened an emergency meeting on Saturday.

The outcome was the deployment of firefighting equipment, basic necessities and a mobile clinic for emergencies.

A contingent of 40 members of the NDF was also dispatched, and another 500 soldiers joined the fight today, as well as 2 helicopters, among others.

The police have also deployed one helicopter to carry out surveillance in the Omusati Region as well as additional manpower.

Information provided by the teams on the ground indicates that the fires in the Oshikoto, Oshana and Kunene Regions are now under control, while firefighting interventions are still continuing in the Omusati Region. 

The statement says the affected regions are coordinating appropriate interventions to ensure that the fire does not spread further.

The Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministries of Environment and Agriculture continue to mobilise resources to reinforce ongoing efforts to enable the teams on the ground to extinguish the fire.

 Local Authorities in the Oshikoto, Oshana and Omusati Regions have also come on board to provide necessary resources.

Acting President Witbooi urges visitors to Etosha National Park to follow the Park's management directives on the safe routes and precautions to take.

She also appeals to all citizens to remain calm and allow the necessary State apparatus to continue to attend to this urgent matter.