Northern Ivory Coast is suffering the full force of the dry season's ravages. On Saturday, January 3, 2026, the town of Borotou, located in the Koro department, was the scene of a violent fire that devastated a large cashew plantation.

An unequal battle against the flames

The fire broke out around 1 p.m., just as the heat was at its peak. Alerted by thick columns of smoke, local residents spontaneously mobilized to try to slow the fire's spread to neighboring properties.

Unfortunately, the fight proved futile. Driven by strong winds and fueled by the lack of nearby water sources , the flames quickly engulfed the two hectares of crops belonging to Mr. Diomandé Mamadou. Despite the absence of human casualties, the material damage is devastating.

The despair of a farmer

For Mr. Diomandé, the damage is total. His plantation, in its prime, produced between 3 and 4 tons of cashew nuts per season . This harvest represented the financial pillar of his family.

"It's an entire season that has gone up in smoke," he said bitterly, lamenting the destruction of several years of work and investment.

A recurring scourge linked to drought

This incident is not isolated. The persistent drought currently affecting the north of the country is increasing the risk of fires in rural areas. This latest tragedy raises once again the crucial issue of prevention and strengthening resources for fighting bushfires in Côte d'Ivoire.

Local authorities reiterate their calls for extreme vigilance to protect agricultural heritage, the engine of the regional economy.