EMA, timber firm join hands for National Fire Week

THE Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and a private firm, The Wattle Company, will this year team up to commemorate the National Fire Week.

Last year, there was a reported increase in veld fire incidences.

Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri will launch the National Fire Week in Harare next week.

EMA’s environmental education and publicity officer for Manicaland, Mrs Alice Rutsvara, said the National Fire Week, which mainly seeks to raise awareness on veld fires, is traditionally celebrated in the second week of May.

“The second week of May marks the end of the wet season as people enter the dry season in which fires are most likely to thrive. The event is commemorated each year to raise awareness on the need to protect the environment from veld fires.

“This year’s event will begin with a press conference in Harare, where Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri will read a statement on veld fire management and officially launch the week. Thereafter, commemorations will be held in all the provinces and districts,” she said.

This year, Manicaland province will partner The Wattle Company in commemorating the week through various activities that have been lined up throughout the province.

“This year’s commemorations for the province will be held in Chipinge’s Ward 6 at Mubvangazi Glenview Centre. This area is populated by A1 farmers who share boundaries with wattle forests. Forests are prone to veld fires, hence, the need to raise awareness and engage farmers in the area in veld fire management activities,” said Mrs Rutsvara.