KFS chief conservator Alex Lemarkoko has said anyone intending to burn vegetation near forest reserves must provide a written notification 48 hours in advance to the nearest KFS or police station.
That will enable KFS to assess and decide if the request is viable.
“The service has enhanced preparedness by deploying additional firefighting equipment, 12 pickup vehicles and six troop carriers. It has recalled all staff on leave to bolster fire preparedness,” Lemarkoko said.
He said KFS has installed a smoke detection system to monitor forest fires in Mt Kenya, the Aberdares and Mau ecosystems.
“We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any signs of fire immediately to the nearest Forest Station,” Lemarkoko said.
The suspension notice was issued when the Mau, Mt Kenya and Aberdare Forest ecosystems have been hit by fires. Since January this year, significant fires have also been reported in Isiolo, Garissa and coastal ecosystems.
KFS has maintained a high fire danger rating across all its stations due to the current dry weather characterised by high temperatures, low humidity and strong winds, creating an extremely high risk of forest fires.
Rapid drying of vegetation and the accumulation of combustible materials exacerbate the situation.
“Notably, there has been an exponential increase in forest fire incidents within the past week,” Lemarkoko said.
The KFS Command Centre has recorded 180 fires that burnt 3,355 acres (1,357 hectares) of different vegetation types within gazetted forests across the Mau (Maasai Mau), North Rift, Coast, Central Highlands (Mt Kenya and Aberdares) and Eastern conservancies.
The forest agency said based on fire risk assessments in a number of counties, it is clear the country is in the forest fires season expected to last until mid-March.
KFS is actively collaborating with Community Forest Associations, the public, the Kenya Wildlife Service, national and county government agencies, and other conservation partners efforts to prevent and suppress fires.
In January, KFS announced measures to mitigate fires, ensure early detection, and prompt responses to fire outbreaks, including manning and clearing of all fire breaks throughout the season.
“Fire patrols should be stepped up, standby fire rosters should be drawn up and strictly adhered to. All firefighting equipment should be serviced and kept within easy reach in case of an outbreak,” he said.
The KFS boss directed that all fire danger-rating boards and posters should be displayed at visible strategic points so the general public to understand the danger of forest fires.
“KFS personnel, forest-adjacent communities and personnel from other agencies are prepared to tackle any fire outbreaks using a multi-agency approach,” Lemarkoko said in a statement.
He said in case of a fire outbreak, information should be sent as soon as possible to the KFS Command Centre, the nearest forest office, police station, or any other office.
The KFS boss directed that all fire danger-rating boards and posters should be displayed at strategic points for the general public to see and understand the level of fire danger in the respective forests.
“KFS personnel, forest adjacent communities and personnel from other agencies are prepared to tackle any fire outbreaks using a multi-agency approach in respective areas,” said Lemarkoko.
He said in the event of a fire outbreak, information should be sent to KFS Command Centre.
