Fires Around Mt Longonot Confirmed as Bushfires, Not Volcanic Eruption
Authorities have moved to calm public fears after viral videos circulating on social media falsely claimed that Mount Longonot had erupted, sparking widespread panic among Kenyans. The dramatic clips, widely shared on Facebook and X, show flames and thick smoke rising from the slopes of the mountain, leading many viewers to believe the dormant volcano had become active.
However, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), which manages Mount Longonot National Park, has categorically dismissed the claims, confirming that the incident involved bushfires and not a volcanic eruption. The agency described the viral reports as misleading and warned against the dangers of spreading unverified information online.
“The incident being circulated online is not a volcanic eruption. These are bushfires, most likely caused by human activity,” KWS said in a statement. “This is not the first time we have received such misinformation. A similar incident occurred in 2022.”
According to KWS officials stationed at the park, preliminary assessments indicate that the fires may have been ignited by a discarded cigarette, deliberate vegetation burning, or other human-related activities. The fires were reported during a dry spell, a period when vegetation around the mountain becomes highly flammable.
Mount Longonot National Park, located in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, is a popular hiking and tourism destination, attracting thousands of visitors annually. KWS noted that bushfires are a recurring challenge in the area, particularly during dry seasons, and are often linked to human actions such as arson by charcoal burners, grazing by pastoralists, or careless behaviour by hikers.
“Bushfires are a known hazard in this ecosystem, especially when conditions are dry,” KWS explained. “Most of these fires are human-induced rather than natural.”
Historical records underscore the scale of the problem. In 2009, a major fire outbreak at Mount Longonot destroyed more than 4,600 hectares of vegetation. In 2021, another blaze—suspected to have been started by hikers—burned over 40 hectares within the park. Similar incidents have also been reported in the wider Hell’s Gate–Longonot ecosystem, where fires sometimes spread from neighbouring pastoral lands.
Beyond environmental damage, such fires pose serious risks to wildlife and nearby communities. KWS said bushfires frequently force animals such as zebras, giraffes, and buffalo to flee the park, occasionally straying into residential areas and increasing the risk of human-wildlife conflict.
“When fires break out, animals are displaced, and this creates safety concerns for both wildlife and surrounding communities,” the agency noted.
KWS also sought to reassure the public about the volcanic status of Mount Longonot. The mountain last erupted in 1863 and is classified as a dormant volcano, having remained inactive for more than 160 years. While minor seismic activity was recorded in 2007–2008 and again in 2013, experts confirmed that these events did not amount to eruptions and did not warrant evacuations.
Despite its long dormancy, Mount Longonot continues to be closely monitored due to its location within the geologically active East African Rift system. Scientists regularly assess seismic data and ground activity to detect any signs of potential reactivation.
KWS urged the public to rely on official sources for accurate information and avoid amplifying alarming claims that have not been verified.
“We appeal to members of the public to confirm information with credible authorities before sharing it,” the agency said. “Misinformation can cause unnecessary fear and disrupt public order.”
As investigations into the cause of the fires continue, firefighting and containment efforts have been intensified to prevent further damage to the park’s fragile ecosystem.
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Fires Around Mt Longonot Confirmed as Bushfires, Not Volcanic Eruption
