Sundaymail Editor
Online Reporter
THERE is lesser risk of veld fires in Zimbabwe this year, compared to 2021 due to poor rains last season, a new report by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has revealed.
The 2022 National Fire Risk Prediction Report shows that much of the country faces medium risk of veld fires, with only 2 percent at extreme risk.
“The fire-risk modelling revealed that 40,3 percent of the country is generally at medium risk, while 34,5 percent is at high risk of veld fires in 2022,” reads part of the report.
“The low-risk zones cover 22,8 percent, while the area under extreme risk to fires is 2,4 percent of the country.”
In 2021, 65,2 percent of the country was at high risk of fires, while 24,7 percent faced an extremely high risk.
“The conditions for fire are determined by climate and the state of vegetation.
“Changes in fuel load in semi-arid and savannah ecosystems caused by seasonal or inter-annual rainfall variability can limit or promote fire spread.
“In the 2020/2021 season, the country received normal- to above-normal rains, and this greatly boosted the amount of vegetation in the country.”
Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East as well as parts of Matabeleland North are projected to fall within the high-risk zone.
“Districts that fall in extreme risk are Nyanga, Mutasa, Chipinge, Zvimba, Mazowe, Centenary, Makonde and Hwange.”
To guard against potential losses, families in communal areas were encouraged to adopt fire-prevention measures that include developing fire guards, hay baling and grass combing.
Last year, property valued at US$370 000 was lost to veld fires.
Hunting, honey harvesting, land clearing and arson are major causes of veld fires in Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter