The fourth week of March 2012 has brought a new fight in Central Kenya highlands. The fight is quite a dangerous one as it involve Kenya's major water towers and i can only imagine the effects. Mt Kenya forest and the Aberdares are unique habitats. Patriotic Kenyans and Friends have been in the forefront trying to fight the fire. A close look at ways used in putting out the fires in our region raises more questions than answers. In 21st century do we use the the same skills used by the early man in putting out fires of this magnitude? Are the Forest, Wildlife and environment sectors well equipped in curbing wildfires?

                         Kenya fire fighters and volunteers in Aberdares 

                                      Modern forest fire fighters

How to put out wildfires

Fighting forest fires can be a very difficult task. It is probably one of the more dangerous jobs that a fire fighter can have. Forest fires are massive fires that must be attacked with unique strategies that are both filled with science as well as the ability to move fast and think quick.

To control a forest fire you don’t really put it out and it is not the usual thing that you would learn . Putting out a forest fire by normal means is usually pretty close to impossible. To stop a forest fire you have to cut it off and starve it until it dies out. This is accomplished by using a tool known as pulaski which is a combination of an ax and hoe used to dig a fire-line. Fire-line are large ditches that are dug in the path of the fire. These ditches are usually soaked with water. All of the flammable material close to the other side of the ditch is normally removed so the fire can not jump the ditch. The ditches as well as trees and bushes on the other side are soaked with water.

Usually the firebreak ditches are dug with large earth moving equipment. This equipment is used because it is the fastest way to dig a ditch and time is the most important factor in any fire. Most lead fire fighters tackling these fires have taken a course in forest fire control so they know the techniques required to manage fires of this magnitude.

Fire fighters also use hotshots and smoke jumpers to clear a large path in a big circle around the fire so the blaze is contained in a ring of dirt. When the fire reaches this area it runs out of fuel and starved to death. If the fire is too large, however, planes and helicopters fly overhead, dropping/spraying water and special chemical that smother the flames. This pink fire retardant chemical is called sky Jell-o.

Managing forest fires is essential when it comes to trying to maintain our earth’s trees. If the firefighters of today did not take the measures they do to manage these fires most of the trees probably would have been burned down. It is important to take as many measures as you can to avoid causing one of these fires. Do not start fires too close to any trees or brush that will catch fire. Always make sure you have some water near your fires and keep them at a safe level.

The sectors concerned need to invest in some modern fire fighting equipment that put out fires efficiently.   By being able to prevent/curb forest fires we can help ensure that the forests will live on for years to come.