Renthia Kaimbi
A veldfire threatened the Okahandja–Von Bach corridor on Wednesday night, moving down a mountain slope toward a junction that connects Okahandja and Ovitoto.
The fire broke out around 20h00 and prompted an immediate emergency response.
Firefighting teams carried out back-burning operations along the roadside to create containment lines.
Officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), the Namibian Defence Force (NDF), Von Bach Park staff, private landowners, and the Okahandja Municipality worked through the night to control the blaze.
By Thursday morning the fire was under control.
“By this morning (Thursday), the fire had been successfully extinguished… MEFT staff will continue to monitor the area to prevent any flare-ups and ensure the situation remains under control,” said MEFT spokesperson Ndeshipanda Hamunyela.
She said the joint response showed improved coordination for the Okahandja area, which has faced challenges in managing disasters in the past.
Veldfires remain a major risk during Namibia’s dry seasons. Last year, villages in the Otjinene Constituency battled a fire that destroyed grazing land and vegetation, which also required intervention from the NDF.
Okahandja’s growth has increased the need for stronger emergency systems.
The town was originally designed for about 5 000 residents but now serves more than 45 000.
To respond to this pressure, the municipality is finishing a new fire station worth over N$7 million as part of wider development projects for the town.
