Veld fires ravage more than 40 000 hectares in Mat North

The man had allegedly lit to clear dry grass around his homestead

MORE than 40 000 hectares of land have been destroyed by veld fires in Matabeleland North since the start of the fire season on July 1, with authorities reporting a dramatic increase in the scale of destruction compared to the same period last year.

Hwange, Lupane and Umguza districts have emerged as the hardest-hit areas as the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) intensifies efforts to curb the growing wildfire threat.

EMA Matabeleland North provincial environmental education and publicity officer Mr Graham Ndou said the province had experienced a worrying rise in both the number and impact of veld fires this year.

“As of August 2026, approximately 40 364,53 hectares have been burnt, compared to 4 655,34 hectares recorded during the same period in August 2025. These statistics represent a significant increase and highlight the growing threat posed by wildfires to communities, agriculture, land, wildlife, forests and other natural resources that we are endowed with as a province,” he said.

The latest figures show that the area destroyed by veld fires has increased almost nine-fold compared to the corresponding period last year, raising concerns over the devastating impact on livelihoods, agriculture and the environment.

Mr Ndou attributed the surge largely to land-clearing activities involving fire, including block burning in both protected areas and farming communities.

He said some land users were rushing to prepare land before the wildfire restriction period, despite regulations that prohibit uncontrolled burning during the fire season.

The official fire season runs from July 1 to November 1, during which the lighting of fires outside residential or commercial premises is strictly prohibited.

Current regulations also ban the open burning of rubbish and the use of fire to clear agricultural land.

To reduce the risk of outbreaks, property owners, farmers and traditional leaders are required by law to maintain standard fireguards measuring at least nine metres wide around their properties and other vulnerable areas.

Failure to comply can result in severe penalties, including hefty fines, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

Mr Ndou said Hwange, Lupane and Umguza continued to account for a significant proportion of recorded veld fire incidents, prompting EMA to intensify awareness campaigns and prevention efforts in the affected districts.

“We are urging communities across the province to take proactive measures to prevent the outbreak and spread of veld fires. As part of preparedness, we encourage communities to construct standard nine-metre fireguards around their fields, homesteads and other vulnerable areas,” he said.

He also encouraged farmers and landowners to reduce the amount of dry vegetation around their properties by cutting and removing excess grass and other combustible material.

According to EMA, reducing fuel loads significantly lowers the intensity of veld fires and limits their ability to spread rapidly across large areas.

The agency is also strengthening partnerships with key institutions involved in environmental protection and law enforcement to improve fire prevention, monitoring and response efforts.

“We are calling for strengthened collaboration among key stakeholders in veld fire prevention, monitoring and enforcement. We work with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, local authorities and traditional leaders, who assist us through their traditional courts,” said Mr Ndou.

He appealed to members of the public to promptly report any veld fire outbreaks and avoid activities that could spark fires during the restricted period.

“Preventing veld fires is far more effective than attempting to control fires after they have spread,” he said.

With more than two months of the fire season still remaining, environmental authorities fear the damage could worsen unless communities strictly adhere to fire prevention measures and environmental regulations designed to protect lives, property and natural resources.