Mount Kenya is burning.
Our vitally important water tower, providing ecosystem services to millions of people and businesses in Kenya, is currently being destroyed by fire.
Throughout the past five days, winds and extremely dry conditions have burnt hectares of moorlands and the fire is dangerously close to the forest. In some areas the forest is starting to catch – along with the bamboo regions. We are struggling to regain control. We are working with the Kenyan government and local partners around the clock, but resources and funding for the scale of the problem are scarce.
We desperately need more funding for helicopters hours - dropping people and dousing the area with water and planes for surveillance high up on the mountain. Hours and hours have been donated so far by our partners Tropic Air, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and KFS.
Progress is hard to say with winds changing direction throughout the day.
We need urgent financial support to cover the cost of fuel, rations and equipment. An hour running a helicopter costs $2000 and already our partners have given so much.
Please donate whatever you can, every shilling, penny or pound will go directly to putting out the fires.
If you are in the USA, please donate via Tusk Trust, and reference FIRES MOUNT KENYA: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/friendsoftusk
If you are in Kenya, donations can be made via mpesa to Paybill 329142 and reference FIRES. Bank details can also be found here: http://www.mountkenyatrust.org/support-mkt/donate