Wildfire Tears Through Praslin as Two Nature Reserves Face Serious Threat
Praslin, Seychelles – A large and fast-moving forest fire broke out on Praslin yesterday afternoon, starting in an area called Fond Azore in Kan Per within the Baie Ste Anne district, and rapidly spreading toward two of the island’s natural reserves.
By the time Seychelles Nation spoke with Shirley Joubert, the environmental officer coordinating operations on the ground, the fire was still raging and had moved significantly from its point of origin. It had spread northward in the direction of Ravin de Fond Ferdinand and was threatening Praslin National Park, placing both reserves at serious risk.
Joubert confirmed that the Fire and Rescue Service, the Seychelles Defence Forces, and trained forest firefighting volunteers were mobilised at the scene. A public call had gone out for additional volunteers, with a strong response from members of the public who turned up to assist. Several hundred people ultimately joined the effort, though officials advised that not all additional volunteers were needed due to safety constraints on the terrain.
The fire was burning in steep, heavily vegetated ground with no accessible water sources nearby – conditions that make containment in the dark particularly dangerous. A decision was made to focus overnight efforts on firebreaks rather than direct suppression, with teams positioning themselves for a more effective response at daybreak if the blaze remained uncontrolled.
The areas at risk on the northern side, bordering Glacis Noir within Praslin National Park, include stands of endemic palms, coconut, and other vegetation that burn rapidly once ignited.
The Islands Development Foundation, which manages Ravin de Fond Ferdinand, confirmed it was on high alert with its emergency plan activated. The foundation was working under the direction of relevant authorities to monitor, survey, and where possible slow the fire’s advance through controlled breaks.
Among the agencies represented at the incident command post on Praslin and Mahe were the Seychelles Red Cross, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Local Government and Inner Islands, the Fire and Rescue Service, the Environment Department, and the National Assembly member for Grand Anse Praslin.
As of the time of publication, the fire had not been brought under control.
