Rapid local mobilisation contains flames but losses to hives, young trees and biodiversity raise fresh urgency for prevention across one of Cameroon’s most important montane forests.
A bushfire that broke out on 22 February in the Nchiiy community forest within the Kilum-Ijim Forest has scorched sections of regenerating woodland and destroyed beehives, striking at the heart of livelihoods tied to the Oku highlands’ prized honey economy.
According to data by a local organisation Cameroon Gender and Environment Watch, CAMGEW working in the area, more than 40 bee farmers were among the first to respond as flames spread across the Bai forest zone. By the following day, additional forest users joined the effort and succeeded in containing the blaze. On 24 February, the Manjong traditional group from Ngashie carried out patrols to prevent re-ignition from smouldering logs, reflecting the depth of communal concern.
The affected zone lies near Mbohkeghas village in Oku, at the peak of the harvesting season for the area’s renowned white honey. Several producers reported losing hives, a blow expected to ripple through this year’s output, though the full economic cost remains unclear. Some residents attribute the fire to unsafe harvesting practices, a claim likely to be examined as assessments continue.
Local radio stations, including Oku Rural Radio and Oku Council Radio, played a central role in alerting surrounding communities and sustaining public awareness, helping to draw volunteers to the containment effort.
Environmental advocates say the incident underscores both progress and persistent risk. The grassroots organisation Cameroon Gender and Environment Watch noted that its Oku team has long conducted fire-prevention campaigns at social and cultural gatherings, while traditional authorities have maintained customary protection measures. The group is now urging broader stakeholder engagement to prevent further outbreaks during the dry season.
In a technical assessment, the Ijim Forest Management Institution described the fire as a serious ecological setback. Preliminary findings point to the destruction of young trees, disruption of wildlife habitat, soil degradation and heightened vulnerability to future fires, alongside immediate losses to honey production.
The institution and community leaders are calling for stricter farm-burning controls near forest edges, maintenance of firebreaks, sustained public education and faster reporting of outbreaks. The message is clear: safeguarding Kilum–Ijim is inseparable from protecting the local economy and the cultural heritage anchored in the forest.
For residents, the swift collective response offered reassurance, but the incident has sharpened awareness that a single fire can erase decades of growth. The coming months will reveal the scale of recovery needed, and whether renewed prevention efforts can shield the forest from another costly season.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Web with reports
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