In the department of Kédougou, in the east of Senegal, a major bush fire prevention operation was set up with the creation of fifty-four early fires. This initiative, carried out in a controlled and controlled manner, took place from November 10, 2024 to January 10, 2025. The main objective of these early fires is to create effective barriers to prevent the spread of fires in certain areas, according to information relayed by the APS.
Lieutenant Ansoumana Sonko, head of the departmental water and forest sector, specified that these interventions concern 335,976 hectares of grassy cover. He stressed the importance of these actions, stating that “early and controlled firing […] will serve as a barrier and a path to prevent the spread of bush fires in certain areas of the department.
In addition to these early fires, the departmental water and forestry service also implemented road treatment over 32.28 kilometers to weed along the main roads, often affected by fires. Five to six kilometers of firebreaks were also opened in various regions, with notable contribution from agents of the “Xeyu Ndaw Ni” program and the Soseter company.
Despite these proactive measures, the beginning of 2025 saw the emergence of two fires which consumed 30.05 hectares of grassy cover. However, according to Lieutenant Sonko, there has been a “very large reduction in bush fires” thanks to reinforced prevention measures.
In addition to field interventions, the service has intensified its awareness initiatives with 36 sessions and radio broadcasts, reaching more than 21,422 people. These efforts aim to strengthen bushfire prevention throughout the department.
The equipment necessary for this fight was provided by the regional bush fire control committee, as well as by Mangem’s partner of the mining company Iam Gold Boto, which equipped 10 local committees with 388 pieces of various equipment, such as shovels. and watering cans.
To strengthen the efficiency of the measures put in place, Ansoumana Sonko calls on local authorities, neighborhood and village chiefs to increase awareness among road users and illegal gold miners. These actors are considered the main responsible for irregular fires and contribute to the degradation of local biodiversity.
This information was highlighted by our colleague from the APS, highlighting the negative impact of bushfires on ecosystems and the need for increased coordination for sustainable results.
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