Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve
More than US$932,000 worth of property, including agricultural equipment, tourism facilities, cars and residential homes, has been destroyed by veld fires across the country since the beginning of the fire restriction season on 1 July.
The devastating blazes have also claimed two lives and burnt a total of 582 922 hectares of land from 1 792 recorded incidents.
This was revealed by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Education and Publicity Manager Ms Amkela Sidange, while responding to media enquires from Zimpapers.
Despite the significant losses, the agency has however, reported a notable decrease in fire activity compared to the same period last year.
“In 2024, a total of 3 035 veld fire incidents affected 675 128.9 hectares. This represents a substantial reduction of 40.96 percent in the number of incidents and a 13.66 percent decrease in the area burnt in 2025,” said Ms Sidange.
She attributed this positive trend to favourable weather conditions earlier in the season.
“The reduction is attributed to among other possible drivers, increased residual moisture and green vegetation earlier in the season associated with the late rains received around April,” she said.
However, the agency has sounded a strong note of caution.
The situation has deteriorated sharply in recent weeks due to changing weather patterns.
“The gradual increase in temperature, drying of vegetation and persistent windy weather being experienced since the beginning of August has fueled a drastic increase in Veldfire outbreaks resulting in significant loses in biodiversity, property and life,” she said.
This shift has led to a more alarming statistic as the average area burnt per incident has skyrocketed to 209 93 hectares in 2025, compared to just 35.31 hectares in 2024.
Ms Sidange linked this increased intensity to increased windy weather conditions, dry vegetation coupled with lack of fireguards in most land properties thus making it difficult to put out the fires.
