Udole residents battling rapidly spreading wildfire
Residents in Udole Village, Mandera County are battling a rapidly spreading fire ignited by burnt garbage at the Udole dumping site in Elwak.
Residents in Udole Village, Mandera County, are battling a rapidly spreading fire ignited by burnt garbage at the Udole dumping site in Elwak. Fueled by highly flammable dry native grass, the blaze sent panic through the nearby community.
"We're appealing to the Elwak municipality and nearby military camp to come and help us put off this spreading massive fire," pleaded resident Hassan Issack Adan, describing their efforts to contain the flames as futile.
Children and livestock were evacuated from Udole as the fire crept closer to the settlement. Hassan explained that it started in the late afternoon before quickly engulfing the grass-dominated grazing land.
Another resident, Kulow Adan, expressed concern about the blaze's speed and the villagers' limited resources. "Using tree branches is a traditional method, but it won't work against this intensity," he said.
Adding to the anxiety, this fire comes just three days after a wildfire devastated vegetation between Boji and Leheley towns in Wajir, which firefighters thankfully helped to put out.
In a promising development, Mandera County Executive Committee Member (CEC) for Lands and Urban Development, Salah Maalim Alio, announced that the county is sending a fire engine to help extinguish the Udole blaze. This swift response offers hope to the affected community as they grapple with the ongoing threat.
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