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Loveness Mpofu, Sunday News Reporter
THE country has so far lost more than 100 000 hectares of land to veld fires during this year’s fire season that started at the beginning of July amid calls for people not to start uncontrolled fires.
Figures obtained from the Environmental Management Agency (Ema) showed that there is an increase of more than a hundred percent compared to the same period of last year’s fire season.
Environmental Management Agency (Ema) spokesperson Mr Steady Kangata said the country has so far lost 320 316, 78 hectares of land to veld fires between the beginning of the fire season to 24 August last year which is an increase of 165 967, 30 from last year’s 154 349, 58 hectares of land lost during the same period last year.
Mr Kangata said the increase was influenced by the fuel load as a result of the emergence of dense forests and too much grass experienced this year after the heavy rains across the country.
“We had predicted that due to the rains this year, we would have dense bushes and more fire incidences. So far, the most affected areas are Mashonaland West and Matabeleland North because they are fire prone areas,” said Mr Kangata.
Matebeleland South and Midlands provinces are some of the provinces which were predicted to be fire prone areas.
Mr Kangata said they are trying to prevent more fire incidences through working with farmers.
“We have teams working with farmers to help them in maintaining their fire guards.
“We also advice farmers to shift from using fire when clearing land as the weather is dry this season,” he said.
Veld fires have seen a number of people losing lives while property worth millions of dollars has over the years been destroyed.
In a report published by Ema, all members of the public are encouraged to be on the lookout during this fire season.
The report further notes that livelihood projects such as hay bailing and thatch grass harvesting, would help to reduce the fuel load.
According to the Forest Act (Chapter 19:05) and Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007 (Environmental Impact Assessment and Ecosystems Protection) Regulations every land owner has a responsibility to put in place the necessary fire suppression measures in and around their properties.
It is an offence for a land owner and occupier not to take fire preventative measures.
The report urges smokers to extinguish their cigarette stubs before throwing them away to avoid veld fires and further warns motorists to avoid driving through flames or areas where vision is obscured by smoke from veld fires.
The fire season starts from 1 July to 31 October annually.
Online Reporter