A fire in Madagascar's Ranomafana National Park recently posed a significant threat to rare species of lemurs and other wildlife. Stony Brook University's Centre ValBio joined forces with local residents, park rangers, gendarmes, and the military to combat the blaze.
The dry conditions and strong winds affected over 600 acres of the park. Patricia Wright, Herrnstein Professor of Conservation Biology and founder of the Centre ValBio Research Station, informed Mongabay that despite Madagascar's rainy season running from November to April, there had been no rain in December or January. "Everything in the rainforest is wilted and dry," she stated.
On January 8, more than 1,500 community members fought the fire by creating firebreaks and using shovels and branches to beat back the flames. Wright described her feelings in an email update: “To see the fire, and feel the frustration of having such a big fire in a place with no rivers, is sad.” The lack of water sources made it difficult to utilize water pumps effectively.
The fire approached Vohiparara village, affecting various animals including chameleons, frogs, land snails, and causing lemurs to flee. Rain finally arrived on January 14, extinguishing the fire. In a subsequent update on January 16, Wright noted that "122 hectares of forest burned inside of Ranomafana National Park," marking the first occurrence of such a fire within its boundaries. She emphasized that climate change remains a looming threat unless addressed seriously by global leaders.
Centre ValBio dispatched a team of technicians to assess damage areas and gather data for future restoration plans. “We are also making plans for constructing firebreaks and assessing precautions to be put in place for warding off future threats,” Wright added.
Donations have been collected by Centre ValBio to support those fighting the fire and fund necessary supplies. Wright expressed gratitude: “We are grateful to all who have donated toward our efforts to fight this fire and assist the people in the villages it threatens.”
Individuals wishing to contribute can donate online via the Stony Brook Foundation website under "RNP-2025FIRE."