Rutendo Nyeve, [email protected]
THE Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has urged Zimbabweans to remain vigilant as the 2026 veld fire restriction period enters its final month, despite a 22 percent decline in both fire incidences and the total area burnt compared to the same period last year.
EMA Education and Publicity Manager Mrs Amkela Sidange said the country had recorded 2 301 veld fire incidents, which destroyed 754 017,13 hectares, between the start of the fire restriction period on 31 July and 30 October 2026.
During the corresponding period in 2025, 2 950 fire incidents were recorded, burning 967 283 24 hectares.
“This represents a 22 percent reduction in both fire incidences and area burnt, reflecting progress in community participation and veld fire prevention and suppression efforts,” Mrs Sidange said.
However, she expressed concern over the increase in fire-related deaths, which doubled from three in 2025 to six this year.
“The reduction in burnt areas is welcome, but the loss of life underscores the need for greater vigilance and responsible fire management,” she said.
Mashonaland West, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South remain the three most affected provinces, in that order, with A1 and A2 resettlement areas accounting for the largest proportion of land burnt.
Mrs Sidange said the high incidence of veld fires in the Matabeleland provinces reinforced the importance of year-round preparedness and demonstrated that no province was immune to veld fires.
Zimbabwe’s fire restriction period, which began on 31 July, is scheduled to end on 30 November 2026. It is enforced under Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007, which prohibits the use of fire outside designated residential or business premises.
Starting fires during the restriction period, leaving fires unattended and failing to extinguish them are punishable offences.
Landowners and occupiers are also required to put in place adequate veld fire prevention measures.
As the country enters the final month of the restriction period, Mrs Sidange called for heightened
vigilance, strict enforcement and sustained community participation.
“The Agency will continue monitoring veld fires through real time satellite imagery and ground-based surveillance to detect outbreaks, assess their impact and keep the nation informed,” she said.
“Let us work together to prevent veld fires and protect life, livelihoods, property, biodiversity and the environment. Every life matters and every hectare saved counts.”
