This morning's Sentinel-2 image of Kilimanjaro reveals the seriousness
of fires burning since Sunday, high on the mountain (bands 12, 11, and
4). Reports suggest the fire was started accidentally along the Marangu
Route. Early reports from TANAPA expressed premature optimism that "the
fire is already under control" (14 Oct. via @tzparks), yet Minister of
Natural Resources and Tourism, Hamisi Kigwangalla, is quoted in the NY Times today: "the task is harder and bigger than it is thought to be".
On the false color image above, note the Reusch Crater. Snow and ice
appear royal blue, with burning areas in yellow-red. This is a very
serious, extensive fire! Smoke is visible being blown westward from the
fires, burning at an elevation above 3000 m. The dominant vegetation
type at this level is giant heather (Erica excelsa), which ecologist
Andreas Hemp describes as "an obvious fire sign" which "enhances the
fire risk, as even fresh Erica wood burns well". As highlighted in a
UNEP posting based on Hemp's work, "nearly 15% of Kilimanjaro’s forest
cover was destroyed by fire since 1976 and was replaced by Erica bush
which extended its total area by 5km2 (mainly downslope)."
The upper portion of the popular Marangu Route is shown in green,
passing Horombo Huts where some fire damage may have occurred. One
updated account today (here) quotes Minister Kigwangalla as saying that
yesterday's rebound "destroyed the Horombo Tourist Camp, including 12
huts, two toilets, and solar equipment". The mountain's primary descent
route past Barafu Camp is also shown, appearing to be threatened by both
fire and smoke.
We await first-hand reports from the mountain, and welcome any additional information.
[UPDATE 10/16: Our friend Timba (Travel Consultant in Moshi) sent a link depicting Carbon Monoxide concentration, via the Earth website. Although the screenshot below does not show the data well, note the value for Kilimanjaro of 13,116 parts per billion by volume (high enough to cause chronic problems with long-term exposure - from CO alone).]
