Burning the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro has been burning for 16 hours for causes yet to be ascertained. The flames, according to the Tanzanian authorities, are visible for miles and miles and this dramatic event can also be seen from the Kenyan side.
Eyewitnesses say that efforts by local communities to put out the fires are ongoing, but the main obstacle is the high altitude of the fire.
According to the Kilimanjaro National Park rangers, the fire broke out on Sunday evening, 11 October. This was later confirmed by Tanzanian National Park Communications Manager Patrick Shelutete.
Some hikers who were in the village of Cima Kibo said they saw the fire in bushes near Mandara. Given the nature of the vegetation, the fire could spread further if not contained.
Mount Kilimanjaro has three peaks: Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira.
Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzanian territory on the border with Kenya, is the fourth highest topographical peak on Earth and one of the main tourist attractions in Tanzania, along with Serengeti National Park, and before Ngorongoro Crater and other natural parks.
Mount Kilimanjaro's ecosystem supports the lives of over two million residents on its lower slopes in Tanzania and Kenya, who depend directly on the mountain's resources, mainly water and rain for agriculture and livestock.