MILLICENT HUNGWE
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has urged citizens across Zimbabwe to remain vigilant and proactive in preventing veldfires during the 2025 fire restriction period, which began on 31 July and will run until 31 October 2025.
The restriction period, in line with Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007, is aimed at minimizing veldfire outbreaks that have already destroyed thousands of hectares of land.
EMA spokesperson Amkela Sidange said, “in 2024, the fire restriction period stretched from July to November, this year’s adjustment, is meant to enhance preparedness in light of worsening drought conditions caused by El Niño, which has left rangelands drier and more vulnerable to fires.
The country is entering this year’s period with a medium to high veldfire risk prediction covering 70% of the country, slightly lower than 73% recorded in 2024.
Provinces most exposed to veldfires include Mashonaland Central, East and West, Midlands, and Manicaland, with districts such as Nyanga, Mutasa, Mutoko, Marondera, Chikomba, and Gweru flagged as extreme-risk zones.
“Already, EMA has recorded 216 veldfire incidents affecting 71,119 hectares this year, a significant drop compared to 393,183.5 hectares from 1,620 fire cases in 2024,” she said.
Sidange, attributed the decline to improved moisture and vegetation recovery from rains received in April, however, she warned that the coming hotter months could reverse this progress.
“With reduced moisture and rising temperatures ahead, the country remains vulnerable to veldfires, we must all remain on high alert and take preventive measures to avoid further destruction,” said Sidange.
According to EMA, veldfires have been most prevalent in Mashonaland West (63.5%), followed by Mashonaland East (18.41%) and Mashonaland Central (7.76%), the most affected land use systems are resettlement areas (64.29%), safari areas (20.79%), and communal lands (6.36%).
Sidange stressed that veldfire prevention is a collective responsibility, urging farmers, schools, traditional leaders, and local communities to strengthen fire management strategies.
“The Agency continues to receive block burning requests for plantations and gazetted forests, while we allow this under strict management plans, we discourage unnecessary delays in approvals as they increase the country’s vulnerability to veldfires,” she added.
EMA outlined several key fire management tips, to understand the causes most veldfires result from human activities such as roadside burning, careless burning cigarette stubs disposal, and improper ash handling.
Therefore, encouraging fire prevention, communities are urged not to start fires outside homes and business premises during the fire season.
Farmers should cut down flammable shrubs and practice thatch or broom grass harvesting to reduce fire risks.
Villages and wards must have trained firefighting teams equipped with fire beaters, shovels, and knapsack sprayers filled with water.
Sidange concluded with a strong reminder, “Veldfire prevention is everyone’s responsibility play your part.”
