Fire Response and Future Resilience

When we last reached out to you in March, we shared the devastating news: Mutara, an area connected to Ol Pejeta, was ravaged by a series of destructive fires. These blazes threatened not only precious wildlife but also the lives of our dedicated staff.

For days, our teams worked relentlessly, even bringing in a helicopter, to bring the fire under control. Thanks to their unwavering dedication and swift action, we managed to halt the spread. While we're incredibly relieved, one of our partner camps, Jambo Mutara, was partially destroyed, as was part of one of our own ranger camps.

We are now thrilled to share that, thanks to your incredible support during our campaign, we've been able to implement crucial fire mitigation and prevention measures. 

Since the incident, we've taken several key steps to strengthen our fire preparedness and prevention efforts:

• Wildfire Sensitization Training: We've conducted targeted wildfire sensitization sessions for the staff at Jambo Mutara Camp, focusing on risk awareness, prevention strategies, and initial response protocols.
• Firebreak Establishment: A crucial firebreak has been created around Jambo Mutara Camp, designed as a defensive line to protect the camp from any future wildfires.
• Deployment of Firefighting Equipment: A dedicated firefighting equipment box is now stationed at the camp. This box contains essential tools like fire beaters and ignition fuel for back burning, ensuring rapid response capabilities.
• Training and Capacity Building: Ol Pejeta monitoring personnel have undergone fire marshal training, equipping them to respond effectively.

Our commitment to fire safety doesn't stop here. We are now planning a similar training program for the Jambo Mutara Camp staff, aiming to identify fire marshals within each department who can serve as team leaders and coordinate responses in the event of a fire.

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude once more for your support during this critical period. It is genuinely because of you that we've been able to respond so quickly and effectively to incidents like this, and continue to build a more resilient future.