adminPamela Shumba Senior Reporter
THE Meteorological Services Department has issued a heightened fire danger warning as the cold season comes to an end. The end of winter ushers in the dry season during which fires can go wild in windy conditions. The department’s senior meteorological officer, Jonathan Chifuna, yesterday told Chronicle of the high risk of forest fires that may lead to loss of life and property as well as damage to the environment.
“We are now approaching the driest and windiest part of the year. As a result the danger of forest fires which can cause damage to life and property is greatly increased. It is also the time when most people are preparing their fields for the oncoming rain season,” said Chifuna. “I therefore would like to urge the public to take extreme caution when starting fires. These have the potential of damaging the environment.”
The warning comes at a time when the Environmental Management Agency has said nearly 3, 000 hectares of grazing land has been destroyed since March this year from 120 veld fires reported.
This is an increase from last year, when within the same period, 57 fires were recorded, destroying 364 hectares of land.
Chifuna said although the country experienced a cold spell on Monday and Tuesday, temperatures were expected to rise from yesterday onwards.
“We are now approaching the end of the cold season, but this does not mean that we do not expect cold periods. Therefore the public should not relax their guard against frost damage. Vulnerable members of the community are urged to use warm clothing,” said Chifuna. He added that due to the looming clear skies and increased daytime temperatures, the Met Department expects a heightened risk of frost in frost-prone areas such as Matopos, Marondera, Hwedza and Nyanga in the coming week.
Online Reporter