Linking human activities to wildfires in Tsavo Conservation Area: a social-ecological study

Background The Tsavo Conservation Area (TCA) in Kenya has recently experienced severe wildfires, but there is scarce data on the factors contributing to these fires. Aims This study aimed to investigate the connection between human activities and wildfires in the region, which is divided into Tsavo East, Chyulu Hills, and Tsavo West National Parks. Methods A field survey conducted from July to December 2022 gathered data through questionnaires, interviews and focus groups. Data on burned areas (2002–2023) were obtained from MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) MCD64A1 version 6. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), chi-square and Kendall’s W tests were applied for analysis. Key results The findings indicated significant differences in the burned area proportions, where Chyulu Hills National Park experienced significant large burnt areas compared to the other two parks. A strong link was found between human activities and wildfires. Activities linked to wildfires included poaching, honey harvesting, charcoal burning and others, with poaching being most strongly linked. Additionally, activities like bhang farming and khat harvesting were recorded exclusively in Chyulu Hills National Park. Conclusion The findings suggest that areas with more activities experienced higher fire incidences. Implications The findings emphasise the need for policy changes that incorporate local communities in wildfire management.