Veldfires destroy 71 000 hectares in less than a month

Patience Ndlovu, Zimpapers Writer

ZIMBABWE has entered the peak of its fire season with the country recording 216 veldfires since the official fire restriction period began on July 31, destroying 71 119 hectares of land.

Although veldfires continue to be a persistent threat to the environment, this year’s figures mark a sharp decline compared to 2024, when 1 620 incidents ravaged 393 183,5 hectares.

The fire season, which runs until October 31, is one of the country’s most critical environmental management periods due to the extensive damage veldfires cause to forests, wildlife habitats, pastures, property and human lives.

In previous years, veldfires have been blamed for the loss of biodiversity, soil fertility decline and even fatalities, underlining the urgent need for prevention.

Environmental Management Agency (EMA)’s environmental education and publicity manager, Ms Amkela Sidange, said the notable decline this year is attributed to residual moisture and green vegetation from heavy rains earlier in the year, as well as their intensified awareness campaigns, which they spearheaded in collaboration with local authorities, traditional leaders and community groups.

“This year’s fire restriction period comes amid predictions that 70 percent of the country faces a medium to high veldfires risk, slightly lower than the 73 percent forecast in 2024,” she said.

The worst affected provinces are Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Midlands and Manicaland, with districts such as Nyanga, Mutasa, Makoni, Mutare, Chipinge, Chimanimani, Marondera, Chirumanzu and Gweru flagged as extreme risk zones.

Statistics further reveal that Mashonaland West Province has borne the brunt, recording 138 incidents (64,29 percent), followed by safari areas (20,79 percent) and communal lands (6,36 percent).

Despite the reduction in cases, Ms Sidange urged citizens not to be complacent. She stressed that veldfires are mostly human-induced, caused by activities such as land preparation, careless disposal of cigarette stubs and children playing with matches.

“The agency continues to receive notifications for block burning in plantations and gazetted forests. While this can be a useful management tool, we encourage strict adherence to fire management plans to prevent further risks,” she said

“As EMA, we also encourage communities to establish fireguards, reduce fuel loads by cutting grass and shrubs and prepare firefighting teams equipped with shovels, fire beaters and knapsack spray.”